Cricket South Africa will be announcing the addition of the Bloemfontein and East London franchises soon, as well as at least eight Proteas marquees players. There is even a suggestion at each team will be allocated two Proteas players for the first time. In addition, each team will also field an international marquee player, as has been the case in two previous editions of the T20 tournament.

In the two previous editions of the MSL T20, the Knights have had very few of their players being drafted.

The Proteas batsman and Knights captain, Pite van Biljon, who has played for both the Jozi Stars and Tshwane Spartans, told OFM Sport it means good news for the central franchise.

“Everyone is waiting to hear what is going to happen with cricket scheduled. It’s not just cricket, all the sporting codes are hanging in there and waiting to hear what is going to happen.

“Luckily in South Africa, we are in the off-season and from a domestic point of view are not missing out on a lot. The Proteas obviously have a couple of tours that they are meant to go on, or will be rescheduled.

“From an MSL T20 point of view, I am not sure of the dates or if it will go ahead. The T20 is the main cash flow for the sponsors, television rights, and all of that, so that is why I think that it will go ahead.

“It is very exciting that Bloemfontein has also got a franchise now and it will definitely help our local players to get in. There are two more teams and if they follow the same structure there will 30-plus spots up for grabs.

“With a local team, a local coach and a local union, it will greatly enhance a guy’s chances of getting into a squad. As we’ve seen in the past with most teams going for the local guys and they make up the bulk of the squads.

“We are looking forward to that and seeing our names get onto the field and the TV. Hopefully, they will give us somehing concrete with regards to the tournament and we will take it from there.

The MSL T20 draft is set for early August, while the tournament itself will be contested from 26 November to 26 December.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport