Cricket South Africa unveiled the nation's "first global twenty-twenty format cricket league," T20 Global League. CSA "revealed the logo and the name of the league" and is in the process of finalizing the eight team owners, which will be announced "later this month." CSA President Chris Nenzani said that the league will be a "game changer not just for the cricket and the youth but also for the country." The league is scheduled to be held in November and December (ECONOMIC TIMES, 6/1).
Int'l Cricket Council Champions Trophy Tournament Dir Steve Elworthy admitted that the number of int'l matches across all formats is "too high" but insisted "there is a future for the 50-over game." Elworthy said that 50-over cricket can "exist alongside Test matches and Twenty20." There is "uncertainty" over whether the 2021 Champions Trophy -- known as the "mini World Cup" -- planned for India "will take place." But Elworthy said that the demand for tickets "shows fans are still flocking to see 50-over matches" (LONDON TIMES, 6/1).
Super League rugby side Castleford Tigers head coach Daryl Powell accused the Rugby Football League of a "lack of understanding" following Super League's second doubleheader round in less than six weeks, claiming the "exertions placed on players makes a laughing stock of player welfare." Powell insisted "he has to protect his players because the sport's administrators are not" (GUARDIAN, 6/1).
The Hungarian Swimming Federation said that it would "initiate a review" of the Int'l Swimming Federation's (FINA) "new regulations concerning World Cup at FINA." The federation released a statement on Wednesday on its website and said that it would "ask for the support" of FINA VP Tamás Gyárfás. The statement said that FINA's decision to "change the participation conditions of the World Cup is incomprehensible." These changes "restrict the competition, narrow down the opportunities for top athletes to compete, and also disadvantage" swimmer Katinka Hosszú (XINHUA, 6/1).
The Irish Rugby Football Union policy of not selecting players that venture overseas "has hardened." When the "absence of Donnacha Ryan, Gareth Steenson and Tadhg Beirne was broached," Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said, "That's probably a fair assumption. It might be more 75-25 (percent chance of being selected by remaining in Ireland). I think the players are aware of that" (IRISH TIMES, 6/1).
