Franchise to change face of cricket

[zimfan1]

Franchise to change face of cricket

By Mehluli Sibanda

THE introduction of franchise cricket by Zimbabwe Cricket could change the scope of the game in the country if properly implemented.


ZC would be implementing a franchise system as from next season after adopting a recommendation by the world cricket gorvening body to decentralise the running of the game in the country.
The coming in of the franchise structure will see most of the responsibilities of ZC fall with the respective franchises.
Some of these include ground preparation, technical team appointments, players, technical team and ground staff salaries. ZC will only be responsible for match schedules and venue selection.
Franchises would be free to contract any player they want, even players from outside the country as long as they can afford to pay the player.
Franchises will each receive an annual grant from ZC with extra funding to come from sponsorship and other fundraising activities.
Some of the benefits of the franchise set up include creating a sense of ownership for the community in which the franchise is based, loyalty and pride from the players.
The country’s 10 provinces have been broken down to five franchises. Bulawayo and Matabeleland North make up Westerns, Harare and Mashonaland Central make up Northerns, Easterns is made up of Manicaland and Mashonaland East, Masvingo and Matabeleland South make up Southerns while the Centrals franchise is made up of Midlands and Mashonaland West.
Already, the franchise chief executive officers have been appointed for the five franchises. Despite question marks over their appointment, it is imperative for the stakeholders in the various provinces to fully support the initiative.
Stakeholders can get actively involved by electing four members of the franchise management board to which the franchise CEO would be reporting.
The franchise management board would be made up of two provincial chairmen and four other members who would be elected on their relevant skills. The stakeholders can also make sure that the clubs who will play a crucial role of feeding the franchise with quality players are properly constituted.
Cricket South Africa introduced franchise cricket in 2004 and that has seen their game grow. South Africa has five strong franchises that have their own sponsors.
There are also sponsors for each of the three versions of the game, first class , 45 overs and Twenty20 with most of the matches especially the shorter versions televised live.
India also have the Indian Premier League, which is heavily funded, has managed to attract world stars and pays huge amounts to the players.
Zimbabwe has a lot to learn from the South Africa and India set ups. With the country’s economy continuing to improve, the business community is likely to get involved in the sponsorship of the game.
Former players can be fully utilised especially as coaches. Most of the former players are still in the country and are keen to get involved in the game that gave them fame.
Stuart Carlisle, Heath Streak, Douglas Marillier and Andy Blignaut are some of the former stars who are still in the country. Streak is already tipped for the post of Westerns coach.

[Detective RDS]

Former players can be fully utilised especially as coaches. Most of the former players are still in the country and are keen to get involved in the game that gave them fame.

Stuart Carlisle, Heath Streak, Douglas Marillier and Andy Blignaut are some of the former stars who are still in the country. Streak is already tipped for the post of Westerns coach.

Douglas Marillier and Andy Blignaut should and must play. They are both 30 years old and I think they have a lots of cricket left in them.