Mark Boucher: Mzansi Super League cannot mask over South Africa's problems

The former Proteas wicket-keeper will lead the Tshwane Spartans during the T20 competition but has concerns over the sport's current status

The Mzansi Super League might be braced to capture the attention in South Africa, but former wicket-keeper Mark Boucher says the T20 competition cannot be allowed to mask over the problems his country are enduring.

On-the-field, The Proteas has endured a tough 2019, losing a home Test series Sri Lanka ifor the first time before a disastrous World Cup campaign.

Faf du Plessis' side were then outclassed and whitewashed by India in the Test series between the two nations last month.

Away from the middle, the Western Province Cricket Association were suspended amid fears the New Year's Test between South Africa and England could be in doubt.

Cricket South Africa have meanwhile suspended three senior staff, including temporary director of cricket Corrie van Zyl, amid a dispute with the Cricketers' Association over commercial rights payments.

Boucher, head coach of Tshwane Spartans, hopes the second edition of South Africa's premier T20 competition does not distract from the problems running through the sport.

"I think there are bigger issues that need to be dealt with, to be honest," he told SACricket Mag. "There might be quite a few people looking at this and saying we’re sugarcoating the actual situation were are in with South African cricket at the moment.

"We’ve got ourselves into a pretty bad state. Hopefully there are some clever heads there to try and turn things around,’ said Boucher.

"The tournament will be well supported as it was last year, but we’ve got to be very careful with putting too much emphasis on this tournament. There are bigger problems that need to be sorted out.

"And they need to be sorted out very soon, for the good of cricket, our country and for the good of world cricket.

"There are guys around the world talking about the state we’re in, it’s not good. It’s sad to read, watch and listen about our cricket. There’s a lot of negativity."

The Spartans kick-off their 2019 campaign with a clash against Durban Heat on Saturday.