Standard Bank Cup and SuperSport Series 2000/2001

UCBSA Director of Playing Affairs and Umpiring, Brian Basson, has released the domestic limited-overs and first-class fixtures for the next season.

Both major sponsors, Standard Bank and SuperSport, have indicated they are pleased with the new fixtures as the duration of both the Standard Bank Cup and SuperSport Series seasons have been extended, with both competitions straddling the summer.

The decision to intersperse one-day and first-class matches in this way should benefit the players who may be in line for possible national selection, as well as for the national selectors. A total of 13 Standard Bank Cup matches are played in the run-up to the One-Day International Series against New Zealand and 25 SuperSport Series pool matches take place before and during the New Zealand Test series.

The fixtures have been set out in such a way that there is a gap between the SuperSport Series pool matches and the Shield and Super Eights; and between the Standard Bank Cup preliminary round and semi-finals. These gaps are to give the affiliates time to market and organize their matches in the latter rounds.

The semi-finals and finals of the Standard Bank Cup have been moved forward to be completed by the end of February instead of in March. Two problems were encountered last season: the weather inland is not conducive to day-night cricket and the matches were played too far into the Rugby Super 12 competition.

The only change in the format of the SuperSport Competition affects the Shield section, in which teams will now play home and away legs over three days.

Some changes have been made to the playing conditions for the Standard Bank Cup to conform to One-Day International conditions. Teams will now use one ball per innings.

Fielding restrictions will be in place in overs 16 - 30, with only four fielders allowed outside the circle to open the game up during the middle overs. It is felt that the bonus point system was highly successful last season and this will continue.

Play will now start at 15h45 in day-night matches to conform to ODI conditions.

Should a semifinal or final require a reserve day, the match will be restarted on that reserve day instead of being continued as was the case last season.