MZANSI SUPER LEAGUE: All you need to know

The first edition of South Africa's city-based franchise T20 tournament gets underway on Friday

What is the competition?

The Mzansi Super League is a franchise city-based tournament held in South Africa.

When does it take place?

The tournament starts on 16 November, with the knockout round starting on December 14, and the final scheduled to take place on December 16.

MZANSI SUPER LEAGUE SCHEDULE

What's the format?

The Mzansi Super League follows the standard T20 format, with bowlers allotted a maximum of four overs each. In each innings the first six overs constitute a powerplay with no more than two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle.

For any no balls bowled, the batting team will be rewarded with two runs, as well as a free hit for any no-ball that isn’t called for being a short-pitched delivery that passes over head-height of the batsman.

The will be 32 games in total, with each team playing two fixures against each other (one home, one away).

The team that finished top of the table will automatically progress to the final, while the second and third-placed teams will face each other in a play-off.

Who are the teams?

There are six teams, all based in at major grounds in cities across South Africa, taking part in the competition.

Cape Town Blitz - Newlands
Durban Heat - Kingsmead
Jozi Stars - Wanderers (Jozi is a shortening of Johannesburg)
Nelson Mandela Bay Giants - St George's Park
Paarl Rocks - Boland Park
Tshwane Spartans - SuperSport Park 

Which big names are taking part?

The usual big names will be making an appearance at the tournaments, but there will be no players from New Zealand, India or Bangladesh.

Chris Gayle will be looking to cause some mayhem with the Jozi Stars, Rashid Khan has been picked up by the Durban Heat, while England captain Eoin Morgan will feature for Tshwane Spartans.

^{Chris Gayle will be strutting his stuff the Jozi Stars}

MZANSI SUPER LEAGUE SQUADS

How can I follow it?

The Mzansi Super League will be broadcast on live on TV via FreeSports, and is free to watch (Freeview 64, Sky 422, Virgin 533, Freesat 252, TalkTalk 64, BT 64).

Not every game will be broadcast live, but the games will be broadcast in full. Check the FreeSports listings below for more details.

FREESPORTS SCHEDULE