New limited-overs deal for battle of the century

Johannesburg: Already it is being billed as the World Cup showdown of the 21st century and plans to match South Africa and Australia in a six-match limited overs series next year has attracted global attention.

It was also just the sort of arm-twisting exercise needed to have South Africa?s captain Hansie Cronje to think a second time about his coaching role with Glamorgan and Jacques Kallis to scrap his plans to return to the county in what is already a heavy year.

And if you listen carefully to national coach Graham Ford?s comment of the decision to play three games in South Africa in mid-April and mid-August in Melbourne ``it is an exciting venture which promises a lot of action''.

But the chance to match the two world limited-overs super powers in another slogs event, once the long held dream of media mogul Kerry Packer for his Channel 9 station during his brush with the establishment has become a reality.

The reason, of course, is pretty obvious after this year?s tied World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England.

Although details have yet to be worked out the deal represents a multi-million rand package involving sponsorship from Standard Bank. Now, as the first century of the millennium approaches the first series of games, which invades so-called "winter territory" have been announced. The three games in South Africa are to be played on April 12 (Durban), 14 (Cape Town) and 16 a day-game (Wanderers).

The three matches in Australia are, says Ali Bacher, managing-director of the United Cricket Board, to be played in the new multi-purpose indoor stadium in Melbourne, the Colonial Sports center, on August 16, 18 and 20.

Bacher said today that the likelihood of the series becoming an annual event "looked very good" as the two countries were recognised as the world leading countries at limited overs level and there was a public demand to stage further matches between the two countries. The two had played each other 39 times since South Africa?s readmission and were level at 19 wins each with the Edgbaston match tied.

The UCB executive chief said he had been approached by Malcolm Speed, his ACB counterpart, who expressed disappointment that after the excitement of the tie in Birmingham the two countries would not meet again until 2001.

"Both series will be attractive not only to people who attend them but also a global TV audience," Bacher said.

The sale of domestic and international TV rights have still to be finalised but it is understood there will be heavy bidding for the rights. Once these have been completed the demand for further meetings between the two super powers of the game are expected to increase.

After winter sports had gate-crashed the summer scene with their muddied imprint the decision to take cricket into the winter domain should be an interesting exercise and offers an entertaining challenge.