Easterns CEO: It's a slight concern going from four-day to three

Easterns compete in division two of South African domestic cricket.

First-class cricket in division two has become the 1st Class Shield ahead of the 2026-27 domestic season in South Africa.

Matches will be contested across three days. Previously, matches were contested across four days in the 4-Day Domestic Series, division two.

The One-Day Cup, division two, has been rebranded the Pro50 Shield.

“We welcome more cricket, but it’s a slight concern going from four-day to three-day cricket. But overall this is for the best, with the guys playing at home and away and playing more cricket overall,” Easterns chief executive officer Wesley Coulentianos told Club Cricket SA.

One of the challenges that venues and facilities

“One of the challenges that venues and facilities will have to manage is around the wickets. The one-day game will follow the three-day game and we don’t want to be playing that one-day game on a fourth-day wicket.

“So we’ll trust that two strips are prepared for each game – the quality of cricket will remain as high as possible that way.”

Division one and two teams will compete against each other in the Pro20 Cup during the 2026-27 domestic season.

Previously, division one teams contested the T20 Challenge

Previously, division one teams contested the T20 Challenge and division two teams contested the T20 Knockout.

Easterns have been grouped with fellow division two teams Mpumalanga and the Tuskers – and division one teams Western Province, the Knights, Titans and Boland – for the Pro20 Cup.

The other group comprises division one teams North West, the Lions, Warriors and Dolphins alongside division two teams Northern Cape, Limpopo, Border and South Western Districts.

The combined T20 tournament is a big commercial

“The combined T20 tournament is a big commercial plus, especially for division two teams – they didn’t have a commercial outlet around T20 cricket in the past,” added Coulentianos.

“This will allow us to get more sponsors in as we will be playing against big division one teams at big division one stadiums.

“This is great commercially. Hosting teams at division two stadiums, when some of these matches are televised, is massive as well. This is all a positive move forward as we try to relaunch domestic cricket in South Africa in the eyes of the public.”

Source: www.clubcricket.co.za