Brendon McCullum has signed-up as a marquee attraction in a South African version of the Big Bash.
Cricket South Africa launched its new T20 Global League announcing the host cities and owners of the eight teams ahead of the player draft on August 19.
The former Black Caps captain's was at the league's launch in London overnight, joined by outspoken ex-England batsman Kevin Pietersen.
Pietersen believes the new league is a sign of the cricketing times, and that major Test rivalries like the Ashes and India against Pakistan will continue, but the rest of the longer form was in serious danger of dying off "in the next five to ten years".
The owners include film actor and producer Shah Rukh Khan, who also has a stake in the Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders, and the GMR Group, who own the Delhi Daredevils.
The competition, hoping to emulate the success of competitions such as the IPL and Australia's Big Bash, is set to start in November, with the final to be played on December 16.
"We are certain that our final eight owners have the perfect combination of strategic insight and passion needed to make the first T20 Global League a complete success," Cricket South Africa president Chris Nenzani said.
Teams will be hosted in eight centres around South Africa - Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, Stellenbosch and Benoni.
Other marquee players already signed up include England limited overs players Eoin Morgan and Jason Roy, and ex-international Chris Gayle (West Indies).
Almost 400 players from 10 countries have confirmed their interest in being part of the draft.
Reuters/Newshub.
