SA20 vs ILT20! Graeme Smith launches subtle “not good for the game” attack on T20 league competitor

While the SA20 will run from 09 January to 08 Feb, ILT20 2025 will be played from January 11 to February 09.

Graeme Smith, the SA20 commissioner, has voiced concerns about T20 franchise leagues that do not prioritize local talent. Speaking ahead of the league’s third season, Smith made a subtle dig at the UAE’s ILT20, which clashes with the SA20 schedule. The two tournaments have always collided for scheduling concerns and similar will be the case this season.

SA20 better than ILT20?

“We see ourselves as very different to the ILT20. We’re a South African league, with a majority of South African players, and our ultimate goal is to benefit South African cricket,” Smith said during a press event in Cape Town. He highlighted the importance of investing in local cricket, a focus he feels is missing in leagues like the ILT20.

The ILT20 allows teams to field up to nine international players per match, whereas the SA20 follows an IPL-style model, limiting international players to four per XI. Smith believes this balance is crucial for developing local talent. “A league like [ILT20] is not good for the game; there’s that many international players required to build a team, and there’s no investment back into local cricket. That is a challenge for the world game,” he added.

Smith also shared how the SA20 aims to create a lasting impact on South African cricket. “What we’ve focused on is building the SA20 to the point where we are now being recognised as one of the biggest leagues outside the IPL. That’s important for us, and the feedback we’re getting is that this is where players want to play,” he said.

He emphasized the grassroots programs launched by the league, such as a schools tournament and development camps for young cricketers. “There’s a lot of really cool grassroots programmes that we’re putting in place that hopefully will unearth some incredible talent,” he said.

While the ILT20 has introduced its own development tournament, Smith believes that fan engagement and local investment make the SA20 stand out. “The feedback we get globally is when people tune in, they see a happy South Africa in summer with full stadiums and incredible cricket,” he concluded.