South Africa T20s may not be televised, says Zimbabwe Cricket
South Africa’s T20 against Zimbabwe in June may not be televised as Zimbabwe Cricket is unlikely to be able to afford the cost. The matches will be played between June 20 and 24, South Africa’s request earlier this year. The Zimbabwe board’s planned budget, which will impact on its ability to provide television coverage.
Ozias Bvute, MD of Zimbabwe Cricket said, It will cost us a lot of money to get a broadcast deal and because this was not part of our initial plans, we have not budgeted for it. But South Africa are our neighbours and they requested this from us, so we will host the matches. As long as it is cost neutral, we can make it happen.” So far, the only costs Zimbabwe Cricket will incur are the South Africa team’s hotel expenses.
Zimbabwe board made a loss on all three incoming tours hosted during the 2011-12 season. It remains committed to seeking out more competition as part of the plan to re-establish the team at Test level and will likely also host an A tour later in the winter.
The five T20s will not be Identify as internationals but have instead been given practice match status because the visit is not part of the Future Tours Event. They were organised on special request after Gary Kirsten, South Africa’s coach, asked to play more 20-over fixtures before the World Twenty20 in September. All five fixtures will be played in the afternoon to “accommodate the shorter daylight hours”, according to Zimbabwe Cricket.
South Africa will arrive in Harare on June 18 and play one practice game before the back-to-back engagements start on June 20. South Africa not scheduled to play Tests against their neighbours until 2014, although they have sent various A teams to play first-class matches and in tri-series, as well as hosted Zimbabwe in 2010.
South Africa and Zimbabwe are in the same group for the World T20, which also includes Sri Lanka. South Africa have not won an ICC trophy since 1998 and Kirsten has been tasked with changing that.
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