The Canada Super60 T10 tournament in Vancouver has sparked debate after a delivery from Mississauga Masters' Ali Khan soared over the head of Toronto Sixers batter Kieron Pollard and away over the short straight boundaries of BC Place. The ball bounced over the boundary, resulting in a five—a wide plus four—since a six can only be struck off the bat. The incident has raised questions about the nature of the competition.
Former captain questions the spectacle
Former South African captain Faf du Plessis, one of the most experienced franchise cricketers, expressed his surprise at the tournament. "It's crazy. My goodness," he said. "I'd heard from a few guys that the boundary was ridiculously short, but when I saw it I thought it doesn't look like proper cricket. In terms of the sixes being hit and some of the scores, teams chasing down over a hundred in four overs and edges flying over the boundary for six. I bet it didn't feel like cricket either."
Players involved in the tournament have been reluctant to speak openly. Sam Billings initially responded to a question about his participation with "Bills to pay, brother," but later deleted the post. He also wrote on X: "Man has a job. Man has a family. Man gets paid for job to provide for family. Family is happy. The end." Several players contacted declined to go on record.
Franchise cricket's tightrope
Du Plessis noted that players have choices about where they play. "It depends on where you are in your career and what your priorities are," he said. "Post stopping playing international cricket, my priorities were to play in the best competitions around the world because that was now my version of international cricket." He added: "Very easily you can play so much cricket in these days of T20 cricket. I think there's one thing that's most important for players that have the luxury of choosing where they want to play – it's the ability to say no."
Asked if he would consider playing in the Canadian Super60 next year, du Plessis joked: "I'd be stoked to bat there. The boundaries would be so small it'd be good for me as I'm getting older. I could get a 17-ball century! Yes, that would be so good."
South Africa v Australia series anticipation
Du Plessis also looked ahead to the South Africa v Australia Test series starting in Durban, the first between the sides in South Africa since the 2018 Sandpapergate series. He recalled the stairwell scuffle between David Warner and Quinton de Kock during the Kingsmead Test, saying: "I still feel vulnerable when I watch it. It was possibly not my best move, but it was just like fight or flight." He added: "What makes me laugh is [the South Africa fast bowler] Lungi Ngidi in that video, he is to the right of the screen. He is one of the biggest guys going but he's stood absolutely frozen to the spot like a statue."
In the Super60 League, Alex Lees and George Munsey chased 100 runs in 4.2 overs. Harmanpreet Kaur stepped away from the Indian women's captaincy in all formats, saying: "I have given everything I had to this team and to Indian women's cricket – my blood, my sweat, my time, and many times, a part of my own game and personal ambitions."
