Gauteng and North West launch the Highveld Lions

The Gauteng board and the North West Union have today submitted their joint application to the South African board for one of the two professional franchises for the Gauteng area.

Subject to the granting of this franchise, the new union will be known as The Highveld Lions. The board will be made up of four members from North West, and five from Gauteng.

The chief executive will be Alan Kourie, and Jacques Faul will be responsible for the North Western operations. Both will be included on the board.

The Highveld Lions have appointed Shukri Conrad as coach, and Gordon Parsons as his assistant. They will be captained by HD Ackerman.

The new set-up are extremely positive that the franchise system will benefit South African cricket, and they intend to stamp their mark on domestic cricket.

Conrad suggested that they would be looking at contracting 14 or 15 players, creating opportunities for un-contracted players who are in form.