The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) is poised to launch on Wednesday, bringing a new franchise tournament to the continent. Former South Africa star Jonty Rhodes, a co-owner of the Rotterdam Dockers, believes "the time is right" for the league to make a significant impact on European cricket.
The inaugural phase of the round-robin tournament will take place in The Hague, with a second set of fixtures and the final scheduled for Malahide on September 20. Rhodes is joined by other cricketing legends who have invested in the competition, including former Australia greats Steve Waugh (Amsterdam Flames) and Matthew Hayden (Glasgow Cosmic), as well as India's Rahul Dravid (Dublin Guardians).
The league also boasts A-list players on its rosters, featuring names such as Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Ravichandran Ashwin, and recent England international Liam Livingstone. Glenn Maxwell will serve as both co-owner and captain for Belfast Wolves, while Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills bring New Zealand influence to Edinburgh Castle Rockers.
Rhodes, known for his fielding prowess, expressed his belief that the ETPL offers an opportunity to elevate the standard and status of cricket in Europe. He highlighted the potential to expose local talent to top international players and coaching staff, aiming for development beyond the tournament itself.