One Day Cup returns with 1 500 vaccinated fans allowed

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Tuesday confirmed the fixtures for this month's 2021/22 One Day Cup competition.

The tournament will be played in both Division 1 and 2 and will take place between 11 March - 6 April.

Unlike the T20 Challenge played in a Bio-Secure Environment (BSE) in Gqeberha, the One Day Cup will see home and away matches in a round-robin format, with the top two teams progressing to the semi-finals.

This month, a maximum of 1 500 fully vaccinated spectators will be allowed to attend the matches at selected venues throughout the tournament.

"This is a very exciting time for our domestic cricketers and cricket lovers at large around the country as we are slowly moving back to normal times," said CSA Acting Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki.

"This tournament has always provided opportunities for our domestic cricketers to showcase their talent and this year will be no different as it offers a larger talent pool with the competition running for the two divisions.

"Our stadia will evaluate the readiness and feasibility to host supporters based on the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and applicable regulations."

Spectators aiming to attend stadia will be required to provide proof of identification and a vaccination certificate, except for children under the age of 12 who are allowed to attend without proof of vaccination.

Further, all Covid-19 protocols are to be observed at all times.

On Friday, 11 March, the competition kicks off with the North West Dragons hosting Western Province and the Lions taking on the Warriors at the Wanderers.

The Dolphins and the Lions were crowned joint One-Day Cup champions for 2020/21 after their final was rained out in Potchefstroom last year.