Graeme Smith Highlights SA20 League's Growth and Quality Cricket
SA20 League Sees Promising Growth
Durban [South Africa], January 10: Graeme Smith, the former South African cricketer and current Commissioner of the SA20 League, has commended the league's impressive development, citing a surge in viewership and increased attendance during the initial weeks of the current season.
Smith noted the enhanced quality of cricket being showcased and expressed his belief that the tournament is poised for a strong conclusion.
The SA20 season for 2025-26 commenced on December 26 and is scheduled to wrap up on January 25, featuring a month of thrilling T20 matches across South Africa.
In a media interaction regarding the T20 league, Smith remarked on the evident growth observed in the early weeks, with rising viewership, enthusiastic crowds, and a vibrant atmosphere. He conveyed optimism about fan engagement and a robust finish to the season, emphasizing that the league is still in its early stages.
“We have witnessed significant growth in the first two weeks, reflected in viewership, crowd sizes, and the overall ambiance. The quality of cricket has been notably strong, which is truly exciting. While unpredictable weather can pose challenges, especially with daily matches and travel, we must remain positive. There’s still plenty of cricket to be played, and we are only halfway through the season. The excitement and atmosphere are palpable, with many eager to attend the games,” stated the former captain of the Proteas.
“Despite a few matches being affected by rain, the fact that crowds have remained engaged demonstrates that the league's product has elevated this year. Our focus is to maintain positivity and strive for a strong finish to the season,” he added.
Discussing the indicators of SA20's success, Smith highlighted the increase in ticket sales as a significant sign of the league's rising popularity.
“We’ve observed a substantial rise in ticket sales, with four more sold-out games compared to the same point last year. There’s been over a 27% increase in ticket sales during the first half of the season. Viewership has risen in India and here, along with digital growth,” he noted.
Smith also emphasized the quality of cricket as a crucial factor in SA20's success, praising the improved pitches and competitive matches, and expressed hope for continued enhancement in the weeks ahead.
“Another important metric for me is the quality of cricket. The pitches have shown consistent improvement compared to last year. We’ve seen thrilling matches, including super-overs, centuries, hat-tricks, and numerous last-over finishes. The standard of cricket has been exceptional this year, and I hope to see it maintain or even improve over the next two weeks,” Graeme Smith concluded.