United will play in Saturday’s semi-final

The Eastern Cricket Union (ECU) confirmed to the Herald on April 4 that Brakpan-based United Cricket Club’s Premier League One XI will play in the play-off semi-final against Benoni Northerns Cricket Club at Sahara Park Willowmoore in Benoni on March 7.

The play-off was initially to be played between the runner-up in the league and the club that placed third in the competition.

The winner of that semi-final will advance to play the league winners Kempton Park in the final the next day, April 8.

The winner of the final will represent the Union in a Titans franchise play-off to determine who will represent the Titans at the prestigious National Club Championships.

Also read: United finish fourth, in with a sniff

Alberton Cricket Club, who finished third in the league stage of the competition, will not feature in the semi-final after they failed to meet stringent transformation target requirements set by the union.

Also read: Alberton defeat means slim play-off chance for United

Instead, fourth-placed United Cricket Club, who have met the requirements all season, will play in the play-off semi-final.

Gary Corin, president of the Eastern Cricket Union, said: “The ECU will enforce transformation targets at Premier League One level, as agreed by all stakeholders.

“Sides that have not met the requirements will unfortunately not advance in any Cricket South Africa (CSA) sanctioned competition.”