Odendaal takes charge of WP-Boland franchise

Professor Andre Odendaal, the chief executive of the Western Province Cricket Association and Western Province Cricket (Pty) Ltd, has taken charge of the Western Province-Boland franchise. The announcement was made by the chairman of the franchise, Dr Peter Cyster, who also revealed that Pietie Williams, the chief executive of Boland Cricket Board, would be retained as Odendaal's deputy.

"I am delighted at being appointed to this position," said Odendaal. "I am confident our team, with its mixture of top internationals and youth, will be a force in the new strength-versus-strength competition. With three home games in the peak period from 16 to 22 December, when the Western Cape is crowded with holidaymakers, we also hope to see crowds flocking to watch in greater numbers."

Odendaal also paid tribute to his deputy, Williams, who has been overseeing the franchise ever since the departure of Arthur Turner, the former CEO, and thanked him for all his hard work in getting the franchise off the ground.

As well as wishing both men the best of luck, Dr Cyster further announced that the franchise team would be assembling on September 10, before embarking on pre-season warm-up matches at Hermanus and Worcester against Western Province and Boland respectively. This would be followed by the season's launch on October 1 at Newlands and the start of the Supersport Series on October 7.

To avoid any doubt, Dr Cyster also named the members of his board, which comprises Norman Arendse, Arnold Bloch, Schalk Burger, Mohamed Ebrahim, Peter Ingwersen, Andre Odendaal, Cassie Viljoen and Pietie Williams. It has also been decided that Salieg Nackerdien of Boland will be the assistant coach to Peter Kirsten for the Nashua Western Province Boland team.