Photo Credit: SA20 League
Umpire Stephen Harris is looking forward to taking the next step in his career after being named as the second South African recipient in the Betway SA20 and Cricket SA (CSA) Umpire Exchange Programme with the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) The Hundred.
SA20 has committed to raising all levels of the game in South Africa, in line with CSA’s long-standing umpire exchange programmes with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC).
The League has already afforded Lubabalo ‘Babs’ Gcuma the opportunity of standing in four matches in the Hundred last year with the reciprocal agreement enabling Englishman Russell Warren to officiate in SA20 Season 2.
Gcuma and Harris were the on-field standing umpires in the SA20 Season 2 showpiece final between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Durban’s Super Giants at Newlands.
Harris will now be able to emulate his colleague Gcuma by also standing in The Hundred.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity. I have never umpired in England before. I am looking to take the knowledge gained from my colleagues that I am going to stand with and bring it back and spread it to our guys in South Africa,” he said.
“The things that work and really hope to gain experience. Stand with some good guys and that’s where we share knowledge together as cricket umpires.
“I am very excited. It’s a big competition. You see the crowds are huge. There are a few different things in the playing conditions to remember. I am really looking forward to it. It looks like a really good fun vibe, party, crowds and great atmosphere. I am really looking forward to it.”
In its two-year existence, SA20 has been hailed for creating growth opportunities for South African players and coaches. Harris believes that umpires and officials are also benefiting tremendously from being part of South Africa’s premier domestic T20 cricket competition.
“I think for umpires in South Africa, it has given us the platform to umpire on the big stage,” he said. “For all of us, it has helped us up our game as South African umpires. It’s an international competition. It’s amazing.”
The League’s commitment to promoting diversity across all levels of the game also saw the promotion of the first female umpire, Lauren Agenbag, and match referee Shandre Fritz, to the Season 2 match officials list.
“At SA20, we are committed to enhancing every aspect of the game and the match officials’ space is no different. The Umpire Exchange Programme with the ECB is mutually beneficial and a great growth opportunity for the recipient match officials,” said SA20 Head of Cricket Operations, Stephen Cook.
“As a League we have been very impressed with Stephen’s performance and progression and believe that this opportunity will further his development. A heartfelt thanks to the ECB for their efforts and hospitality in hosting Stephen.”
Name of Author: SA20 League
SA20, officially known as the Betway SA20 for sponsorship reasons, is a Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament in South Africa organized by Cricket South Africa (CSA). First held in the 2023 season, the league features six city-based teams. Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the first two editions of the tournament.
