In an ambitious move set to reshape the landscape of women’s cricket, Lions Cricket has announced an innovative transformation within their club league structure. The Cricket Service Manager at Lions Cricket, Reuben Mandlazi, shared the details of the exciting changes set to take effect in the upcoming 2023/2024 season. These changes are fundamentally centered around the introduction of three distinct leagues, marking a significant departure from the previous two-league system.
Premier League:
The Premier League, which has traditionally been the epitome of women’s club cricket, will retain its prestigious status. This league will feature a dynamic mix of formats, commencing with T20 matches in October and transitioning to 35 overs per side from November until March. It will remain highly competitive, featuring a total of 6 teams, including the following powerhouse clubs:
Delfos Cricket Club
Soweto Cricket Club
Dobsonville Cricket Club
Randburg Cricket Club
Wanderers Cricket Club
Jeppe Cricket Club
Presidents League:
The Presidents League will serve as a platform for clubs dedicated to nurturing the women’s game and developing emerging talent. Similar to the Premier League, it will kick off with T20 matches in October, transitioning to 35 overs per side from November through March. The Presidents League showcases clubs committed to the growth of women’s cricket, with a total of 6 teams:
Wits Cricket Club
Wanderers Cricket Club
Vaal Cricket Club
Puntans Hill Sports Club
Old Edwardians Cricket Club
Khosa Cricket Club
Saturday League:
Adding another layer of excitement to the cricket calendar is the Saturday League. This league will provide a unique blend of formats, featuring both T20 and T10 matches from October to March 2024. It will serve as a fertile ground for nurturing fresh talent and offer a vibrant spectacle for cricket enthusiasts. The Saturday League will consist of the following spirited clubs:
Kagiso Cricket Club
VUT Cricket Club
Orange Farm Cricket Club
Renegades Cricket Club
Dalikay Cricket Club
Alexandra Cricket Club
Ladies will be participating in these leagues with coloured clothing and make use of the pink ball, further enhancing the growth of women’s cricket.
Reuben Mandlazi, the Cricket Services Manager, emphasized that for the Premier and Presidents leagues, promotion and relegation will be implemented, adding an extra layer of excitement and competitiveness to the games. Mandlazi extended his heartfelt wishes for success to all participating teams, underlining the advent of an exhilarating era in women’s cricket.
These changes in Lions Cricket’s league structure show their strong commitment to taking women’s cricket to a thrilling new phase. They’re ready to bring fresh energy to the cricket world by making changes, supporting talent development, and offering different types of games. This new era is expected to captivate players and inspire future generations of cricketers.
Wanderers Cricket Club – 3 times Central Gauteng Lions Premier League Champions and current Black Widow T20 Champions.
