Cape Town – The Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) has confirmed premier league and first division A cricket will be reduced from a two-day to one-day competition for the 2018/19 season.
According to Club Cricket SA, a proposal – largely based on solicited feedback from premier league and first division clubs – suggested the format swap earlier this month.
It was discussed and approved at July 25’s members’ council meeting at Newlands.
The decision will stand for the 2018/19 season and, later, potentially be re-evaluated for a return to two-day cricket in 2019/20.
The changes are effectively a consequence of a 2017/18 season substantially shortened by ongoing water restrictions – amid a historic drought – in Cape Town and surrounds.
The reserve divisions A and B, too, have changed to one-day cricket. Whether or not the reserve divisions A and B will compete in the 2018/19 Ama20 Competition must still be decided.
The third divisions A and B have remained relatively unchanged, with 35-over innings across 15 matches per club. These will culminate in semi-finals and finals, officiated by WPCA umpires instead of player-umpires.
The premier league and first division A will start in October – and third division in November.