Well this is exciting cricket news!

The Cape Cobras today announced plans to become part of the world’s first global and continental sports franchise, linking up with teams from four other leading cricket nations.

Western Cape Cricket Chairman Mohamed Ebrahim and Chief Executive Andre Odendaal flew to London last night to discuss an agreement which will bring together the Rajasthan Royals of India, the Hampshire Hawks of England, Trinidad and Tobago of the West Indies, the Cape Cobras and one of the top Australian teams, soon to be announced.

The deal will apply to Twenty20 cricket in the five countries.

Details of the planned super-franchise, Royals2020, were announced at a press conference at Lord’s in London this afternoon.

Odendaal said that the partnership would have big benefits for the franchise, the players and the Cobras’ supporters, provided that all the details could be worked out.

“We have been talking about and developing this initiative for well over a year,” said Odendaal. “If formal agreements can be reached in the next few weeks, this new ‘family’ will be opening up a whole new path in cricket. The partners will continue to operate as they do at present in domestic cricket but with the benefits of working together.

Gerald Majola, CSA CEO, said: “CSA endorses this initiative and is confident that all stakeholders will conclude the details.

“This global link up will have benefits for the Cape Cobras through the injection of new funds and new energies that will bring further cricket development to the region and ultimately to South African cricket.

“The parties concerned are to be congratulated on this creative dimension to our sport. It is yet another bonus in this exciting era for domestic players to compete in the global arena”.