In a short span, South Africa’s SA20 has become a red-hot property among T20 leagues.
The reason? SA20 attracts top players with lucrative deals on offer.
The auction dynamics offer some of the expensive contracts to players. So, players don’t want to miss out by jumping into the auction pool.
But not everyone in the auction can get a deal, can they? So here comes the cap on the SA20 squads.
What’s the squad size in the SA20?
SA20 teams can have a maximum of 19 players in the squads. Although the regular squad size is 18, teams can sign an extra wildcard player (more on this later).
Among the 18, a minimum of 11 slots must belong to local South African players. Even in the 11 domestic players, two need to be under-23 (more on this later).
And the overseas players? Well, a team can’t sign more than seven overseas players, including the wildcard pick.
Teams can pre-sign or trade a few players and fill the other slots in the auction, which is similar to the IPL one.
What is a wildcard player?
SA20 introduced the wildcard player in the inaugural season. Think of it like picking a world-class player… but outside the auction.
Earlier, franchises could sign an unsold player as a wildcard after the auction. But now teams can pick one anytime before a new season starts.
The signing amount of the wildcard player doesn’t count towards the salary cap. So, obviously, teams can sign one wildcard player at whatever price they want.
But who can be a wildcard?
Franchises can pick either a domestic South African or an overseas player as a wildcard. The only thing, though, is the player must’ve played in the previous SA20 season.
Check overseas player limit in other T20 leagues here
How Many Overseas Players Are Allowed in IPL Teams?
How Many Overseas Players Are Allowed in a WPL Team?
How Many Overseas Players are Allowed in a BBL Squad?
How Many Overseas Players Are Allowed in a CPL Team?
What is the under-23 player rule?
So, the SA20 mandates each franchise to sign a minimum of two under-23 South African cricketers in their squad.
Those aged 22 or below before the season starts will be up for grabs under the under-23 category. But these players must’ve featured in the previous SA20 editions.
Franchises can either retain their existing under-23 players or acquire new ones in the regular auction.
Earlier, teams used to sign such players in the rookie draft. But there won’t be a rookie draft anymore.
Now, what’s the playing XI squad composition in the SA20?
SA20 follows the universal playing XI rule. A minimum of seven players must be South African. And teams can field overseas players in the other four spots.
So, seven locals and a maximum of four foreigners can form the playing XI in the SA20.
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