A metric that can be used to answer the question is to judge the number of close sports, which we will define as matches that won by 10 or less runs with six or less balls. They went. In 2025, in 30 group stage matches, there were six tight matches, one of which DLS was affected. In 2024, 10 and 2023 were nine. Similarly, in this season, the number of matches is 20 with more than 30 runs or a margin of six wickets, which is similar to the previous year, but in 2023 seven more matches than 13.
Words from those who have batted at hand, the pitches are more challenging because they are slow, low and have become more than normal. Given that the competition takes place at the same time – early in January – every year, every year, it is surprising that the surfaces are behaving in such a way as it is much later in summer and the clarification is barely coming. Is difficult.
The former leading groundsman of both Newlands and Vanderers, Ivan Flint, believes that the age and continuous use of the surfaces across the country is beginning to show. “Ideally one pitch must be re -released every 10 to 15 years, although it is impossible to do with rising materials,” they told Espncricinfo “a new pitch takes 12 to 18 months, before It can be used, so it puts a lot of stress.
This may mean that this season proves to be an outdoor with tired surfaces on an outer legs, which has also been a heavy international weight. Prior to the SA20, four of the six locations had tests (there were only two tests in the previous season) and all six of the white ball international. Flint said, “A lot of central pitches were used before the tournament begins and the surfaces used often slow down during the season.”
In addition, heavy rains everywhere except western capes joined challenges at the beginning of the competition, especially for inexperienced groundman. Kingsmade has a new curator, and, since Flint left, a very new curator in Wanderers and Newlands, which means a lot to learn which is on the job and sometimes those who have been around for a long time. Are, they are also, do not correct it. “It is also a difficult task, so with all the experience it can be wrong sometimes,” Flint said.
And it has not just worked. The 2025 league stages have seen the lowest percentage of the borders scored in borders: 53.8%. In 2024, about 60% of the runs came under range and in 2023 it was 56.8%. Fleming also looted the idea that they could be due to the game being played.
He said, “One of what I have been learning for some years is that early time is a challenge.” “A lot of domestic cricket is played through the evening hours, where the wickets have played quite well. We have found that there is a lot of difference between the last part of the day and then the evening is moving in the evening, even if the wicket is drought. yes.”
Most SA20 games begin at 5.30 pm local time, which is the light of the day in the western cape, where the sun sets about the sun peak summer at 8 pm, the twilight in Gakbar and the sunset on the highovel and the sunset in Durban. This means that some matches are mostly played as day-to-day games, as in day and night as and the rest of the night games.
During the double header days, the initial match is a complete one day’s game, which begins at 1 pm, and on Sunday, the matches begin at 3.30 pm and end after the sunset. Under the light, the ball comes on a hurry and perhaps it is not as much as there, but what is the best for the broadcasters, not set for the batsmen and it can be yoga How should we really measure Sa20.
On the screen, it is seen as a tournament with some of the best vibes: the crowds are diverse and engaged and are behind their teams, some of the biggest names in the world have a smile on their face when they are playing. , And even when they ‘lose again.
After Capital’s 95 -run defeat in his final game, the players gathered on the outfield with families and their former captain Wayne Parnell, a hit with two young children of Parnell and were seen as MICT. The ground so that they can train for their week in playoffs.
There was no need to send Capital to his new coach, Jonathan Trot, or his new captain Kyle Verenne, so that they could explain their disappointing weather and instead put their deceased Kegan Lion-Catches in the press. He all smiled in defeat and “did not ask for anything else,” being part of the tournament, which brought cricket back to life in South Africa.
He said, “I have learned more than what I knew in the beginning, and cricket is a game where you learn better as you learn.” “The more people share their experiences and skills with you, the more you learn.”
And one thing about SA20 in its early years is that it is a tournament that will continue to learn.
Firdose Moonda is a reporter of Espncricinfo for South Africa and women’s cricket
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