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[PICTURES] No Pakistanis featuring in SA20 Season 2

MenInG

MenInG

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Betway SA20 set to light up summer with Season 2 kick-off on 10 January 2024

Playoff structure, revised mid-week timings amongst new features in bumper 34-match schedule released

Tuesday, 15 August 2023: Betway SA20 is back and ready for another summer of world-class cricket and entertainment in an anticipated Season 2. South Africa’s best talent, along with the world’s top cricketers, will once again be on show in 34 matches across six venues around the country starting on Wednesday, 10 January, culminating with the Final on Saturday, 10 February.

Each team will host a home match in the opening week, bringing to life the fierce contests and city-based rivalries amongst the six Indian Premier League (IPL)-owned teams.

Defending champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, will open the season when they host Joburg Super Kings (JSK) at St George’s Park on 10 January for the first match of the action-packed competition.

Following the season opener in Gqeberha, Durban’s Super Giants (DSG) host MI Cape Town in a coastal derby at Kingsmead on Thursday, 11 January before Paarl Royals and last season’s runners-up Pretoria Capitals, face off at Boland Park on Friday, 12 January.

The Wanderers will kick off a bumper opening weekend when JSK and MI Cape Town go head-to-head at the Bullring on Saturday, 13 January at 13h30 before the Sunrisers tackle DSG at St George’s Park at 17h30.

The fast-paced action then moves to the nation’s capital where the Pretoria Capitals welcome the Paarl Royals to Centurion for a new 15h30 Sunday start.

MI Cape Town will host their first home match at Newlands on Tuesday, 16 January against Champions, the Sunrisers.

The League announced a new playoff structure for Season 2; with a Qualifier 1, Eliminator and a Qualifier 2 setting up the road to the Final. The top two teams will play each other in Qualifier 1, followed by the Eliminator between the third and fourth-placed teams. The loser of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator will battle it out in Qualifier 2, for a chance to book their place in the Final, against the winner of Qualifier 1.

All mid-week matches will now start at 17h30, giving fans an opportunity for a post-work and post school feast of cricket during the week.

The fixtures were unveiled in Johannesburg and attended by Betway SA20 League Commissioner, Graeme Smith, players from the franchise teams, key stakeholders and the media, as the excitement builds towards 10 January.

"With the Season 2 auction around the corner, the momentum is building and we are thrilled to announce these fixtures ,” League Commissioner, Graeme Smith said. “We have a jam-packed opening week of matches which will captivate fans around the country. We have been intentional in giving families, friends and our new fans an opportunity to watch as many matches as possible, with mid-week fixtures starting from 17h30 and weekends providing prime summer evening viewing. It was fantastic to see all the fan support in year 1. Fans can mark their calendars and expect to see more of what they experienced last summer -the same vibe, entertainment and world class international and local talent in Season 2.”

All matches will once again be broadcast live to seven different territories through SuperSport in Sub-Saharan Africa, Viacom 18 in India, Sky Sports in the UK, Fox Sports in Australasia, Etisalat in the UAE and to the rest of the world via ICC TV.

Fans can also follow the action on all Betway SA20 social media channels, with live updates and unparalleled coverage of all 34 matches.

In South Africa, the SA20 Season 1 was the most watched sport event on average on SuperSport Premium during the period, with a cumulative viewership of 8.96m.

India, which is a key strategic market given the six IPL-linked local franchises, reported 5 billion viewing time minutes, 131 million people reached and 104 million digital video views.

All six franchises have named their preliminary squads, and will finalise their 19-player roster at the auction on 27 September.
 
No Pakistan players in this one for sure in this feeder tournament for IPL

==

Each team will host a home match in the opening week, bringing to life the fierce contests and city-based rivalries amongst the six Indian Premier League (IPL)-owned teams.
 
The best league after the IPL. Their TV coverage beats the IPL.

Other leagues must learn from the SA20, how to create an interesting league. IPL governing council must look at this league and try to better their TV coverage.
 
MenInG said:
No Pakistan players in this one for sure in this feeder tournament for IPL

==

Each team will host a home match in the opening week, bringing to life the fierce contests and city-based rivalries amongst the six Indian Premier League (IPL)-owned teams.
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No pakistani players for the Indian owned teams in ilt20 either.

Its simply too risky a proposition for any Indian owned business to hire a current pakistani player.
 
Losing track of all these leagues now.

So many of them. International cricket will become an afterthought in the not too distant future.
 
Host of international T20 stars to go under the hammer at Betway SA20 Season 2 auction

Kane Richardson, Colin de Grandhomme, Robin Uthappa, Angelo Mathews among the players on the list

Friday, 15 September 2023: Australian Kane Richardson, New Zealander Colin de Grandhomme, Indian Robin Uthappa, Pakistan duo Naseem Shah and Mohammad Nawaz, Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews and West Indians Johnson Charles and Romario Shepherd are among a host of international stars who have registered for the Betway SA20 Season 2 auction.

The former India star batter, Uthappa, who was a mainstay of India’s inaugural ICC T20 World Cup-winning squad in South Africa in 2007, could also become the first Indian player to participate in the Betway SA20.

In total, 122 overseas players from 14 countries have been shortlisted for the auction, which will take place in Johannesburg on 27 September.

A crop of South Africa’s domestic talent have put their names forward for the auction, including 13 capped Proteas players.

Kyle Verreynne and Janneman Malan are among the players who will be looking for new teams after playing for the Joburg Super Kings last season. The reserve base price for all South African domestic players is R175 000.

The six teams have already retained a number of players after the first year of the competition, with 15 auction picks remaining across the six teams.

A brand new segment has been added to the Betway SA Season 2 auction, with the introduction of a Rookie player pick. This is a South African player aged 22 or under on the day of the auction that has not been contracted to SA20 before, which will be added to each squad making it a total of 21 slots on the day.

Players meeting the definition of a Rookie can be bought in the regular auction stage, but if not chosen in the regular auction, will then be eligible for the new Rookie draft which will take place at the conclusion of the regular auction.

Each Rookie player has a set value, which will be deducted from the team’s salary cap of R39.1 million - an increase of R5.1 million from last season.

MI Cape Town will have the first Rookie draft pick with the remaining picks running in reverse order to where they finished last season. Inaugural Betway SA20 champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, will therefore have the last Rookie draft pick.

Recent South Africa U19 captains Bryce Parsons, George van Heerden and Juan James are among the Rookie player list, along with experienced domestic first-class players such as Jonathan Bird, Ruan Terblanche and Tiaan van Vuuren.

The interest to acquire young South African talent will certainly be a highlight of the Betway SA20 Season 2 auction, with Paarl Royals already leading the way with their pre-signing of current South Africa U19 and SA ‘A’ left-arm quick, Kwena Maphaka. The 17-year-old is the youngest player to be signed, with the Paarl outfit snapping up the talented bowler ahead of the auction.

All squads are required to include 19 players, with a minimum of 10 South African players, a maximum of seven international players, the new Rookie South African player, and a Wildcard player.

Four teams still have the option to include the Wildcard player for Season 2, and will have until the December 30 deadline to confirm their selection.

Durban’s Super Giants have a remaining purse of R1.675 million heading into the auction needing to fill three more slots, while Joburg Super Kings will be in the market for five players with a remaining purse of R6.1 million.

MI Cape Town have a remaining R5.05 million in their purse, while Paarl Royals boast R8.865 million in search of four players. Last season’s runners-up, Pretoria Capitals, have a remaining purse of R9.737 million to add a further six players to complete their 19-player squad.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape have retained the core of their championship-winning squad which has left them with only three picks and a purse of R1.790 million available at the auction.

The auction will take place in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 27 September and will be broadcast live on SuperSport from 16h00 (SAST) with rolling coverage on all Betway SA20 social and digital platforms.

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MenInG said:
Friday, 15 September 2023: Australian Kane Richardson, New Zealander Colin de Grandhomme, Indian Robin Uthappa, Pakistan duo Naseem Shah and Mohammad Nawaz, Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews and West Indians Johnson Charles and Romario Shepherd are among a host of international stars who have registered for the Betway SA20 Season 2 auction.
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And then we wonder about injuries.
 
PCB should take care of its players by managing their workload in order to make them 100% fit for the national duty. We saw last night how costly it could be for the team when you lose your key players in important matches.
 
Would be beyond stupid for Naseem Shah to be playing in this league after WC + Australia Test series. PSL will start after this league ends too so there would be zero rest for him.

Players have the right to earn money but as a bowler, they should be thinking long term so their career is prolonged as much as possible instead of thinking short-term and burning out quick. There's limited bullets in that arm.
 
All systems go for second annual Betway SA20 player auction

Over 250 local and international T20 players to go under the hammer in Johannesburg

Tuesday, 26 September: It’s all systems go for the second annual Betway SA20 player auction taking place in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 27 September.

Over 250 local and international T20 players will go under the hammer for an opportunity to be a part of South Africa’s premier T20 League. With only 21 picks available, the auction promises fierce bidding wars, unexpected surprises and exciting new additions to the competition.

A host of international T20 stars including Kane Richardson, Colin de Grandhomme, Robin Uthappa, Angelo Mathews, Romario Shepard and Mohammad Nawaz are up for grabs, along with some of the best homegrown local talent and upcoming rookies.

Auction process explained

The live auction will be shorter than in Season 1, with 15 picks on the market as teams look to finalise their squads. There are a total of 265 local and international players on auction. There will be 5 sets of players presented in the initial phase of the Player Auction. There will be a separate round for each of the 5 specialist skills:

1. Batters

2. Wicket-Keepers

3. 3. All rounders

4. Fast bowlers

5. Spin bowlers

Each set will have 7-9 players presented per set

Each set will have a mix of South African and Overseas players.

After the first 40 players are presented, should franchises still be requiring further players to complete their squads, an eXXpress round will commence.

Franchises will be asked to provide a list of players (from the remaining unsold players already presented players and the remaining players on the auction list).

The players listed by the franchises will then be presented for auction until teams are filled with 17 players.

Should the eXXpress round finish with teams not yet complete, there will be a last call for players and those players will be presented.

Once teams are complete with 17 players each the Auction part will conclude and a break taken before the Rookie Draft commences.


Rookie Draft

One of the most exciting additions to Season 2 is the introduction of the Rookie Draft. Each team must sign a rookie player in the draft, a South African player who is 22 years of age or younger at the date of the auction and has not been contracted to SA20 previously. A total of 80 players have registered for the Rookie draft, which will take place at the conclusion of the player auction.


Remaining team salary purses

The salary cap for Season 2 has been raised from R34 million in Season 1 to R39.1 million, an increase of R5.1 million. Below is a breakdown of the remaining purse for each team along with the numbers of players they will be targeting.

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Season 2 Squad Requirements



For Season 2 all teams must have 19 players in total in their registered squad.



This is broken down as follows:



o 17 ‘normal’ squad players (pre-signings + retained players + players picked at Auction),

o 1 Wildcard (can be signed anytime until 30 December 2023, can be an overseas or SA player and does not count as part of salary cap) and

o 1 Rookie player (definition is included below).


The normal squad (17 players) may have a maximum of 7 overseas players.

The wildcard can be overseas or South African.

The Rookie must be a South African player who is 22 years of a
 
Twenty-year-old Matthew Boast and Dayaan Galiem fetched the highest bids of R1.6 million at the Betway SA20 Season 2 auction in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Both all-rounders were involved in bidding wars after their base price was set at R175 000.

Pretoria Capitals eventually won the race to sign Boast, who entered the auction as a Rookie.

Galiem went in the opposite direction to the Joburg Super Kings.

JSK splashed a further R850 000 each on Derbyshire batter Wayne Madsen and West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd, who will return to the Wanderers after playing for the Super Kings last season.

The Pretoria Capitals, who had the biggest remaining purse of R9.737 million heading into the auction, also signed Ireland opening batter Paul Stirling for R425 000 and wicket-keeper/batter Kyle Verreynne for R175 000.

Stirling will make the move up to the Capitals after playing for Paarl Royals last season, while

Verreynne played for the Joburg Super Kings last season and will now cross the Jukskei River.

The Capitals also brought fast bowler Daryn Dupavillon back to Centurion for R600 000.

MI Cape Town made the sole purchase of Chris Benjamin for R175 000 with Sunrisers Eastern Cape picking up young leg-spinner Caleb Saleka for the same amount.

Paarl Royals beefed up their pace attack with Hampshire fast bowler John Turner for R425 000.

Set 1: Batters

Joburg Super Kings: Wayne Madsen (R850 000), Pretoria Capitals: Paul Stirling (R425 000), MI Cape Town: Chris Benjamin (R175 000)

Set 2: Wicket-keepers

Pretoria Capitals: Kyle Verreynne (R175 000), Paarl Royals: John Turner (R425 000)

Set 3: All-rounders

Joburg Super Kings: Dayaan Galiem (R1.6 million); Romario Shepherd (R850 000), Pretoria Capitals: Matthew Boast (R1.6 million)

Set 4: Fast bowlers

Pretoria Capitals: Daryn Dupavillon (R600 000),

Set 5: Spinners

Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Caleb Saleka (R175 000)

Express Set:

Paarl Royals: Lorcan Tucker (R175 000), Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Beyers Swanepoel (R600 000), Durban Super Giants: Jason Smith (R175 000), MI Cape Town: Neelan van Heerden (R175 000); Thomas Kaber (R175 000)

Rookies:

MI Cape Town: Connor Esterhuizen, Durban’s Super Giants: Bryce Parsons, Paarl Royals: Lhua-dre Pretorius, Joburg Super Kings: Ronan Hermann, Pretoria Capitals: Steve Stolk, Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Andile Simelane


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Betway SA20 an ‘incredible opportunity’ for South Africa’s rising talent – Smith

All six squads confirmed as 20-year-old Matthew Boast fetches joint-highest price of R1.6million in auction

Thursday, 28 September 2023: Betway SA20 League Commissioner, Graeme Smith, says the signing of some of South Africa’s rising stars in the player auction on Wednesday opens up an ‘incredible opportunity’ for their careers.

Six rookies and several young players were picked for the second edition of the SA20 starting on 10 January.

Twenty-year-old Matthew Boast stole the show in the regular auction, with last season’s runners-up, Pretoria Capitals, picking up the young all-rounder for the joint-highest purchase price of R1.6 million.

“The real highlight for us is the number of youngsters now going to be involved in the Betway SA20. For these youngsters to get their foot in the door on this type of platform is an incredible opportunity for them,” Smith said.

“It is great to see there was interest in the Rookie pick. We debated it for a long time. We wanted to create the opportunity for a youngster to be a part of these squads.

“South Africa cricket has never had a problem producing talent. It’s now for all of us to get that talent to a high-performing level. That’s the goal for Betway SA20, to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket, and to start producing some stars to see our national team performing well on a consistent basis.

“What the franchises bring from coaching, medical, business and general perspective can only benefit South African cricket.”

All six Betway SA20 squads for Season 2 have now been confirmed following the mini auction.

For the second year running, the teams have led with a mix of experienced and young local and international stars, coupled with some of South Africa’s exciting rising stars, who will have an opportunity to be part of a global showpiece.

Other notable inclusions for Season 2 are the signings of legendary West Indies all-rounder, Kieron Pollard, who will be making his SA20 debut for MI Cape Town in the place of Rashid Khan for their opening three matches.

England’s wicket-keeper batter, Phil Salt, makes a return to Pretoria Capitals as a Wildcard, joining Ireland’s formidable opener, Paul Stirling, who was picked up at the auction.

Dayyaan Galiem, also hit the jackpot, with Joburg Super Kings picking up the all-rounder for R1.6 million. The Highveld team confirmed the signing of experienced T20 cricket campaigner, Imran Tahir, as their Wildcard, to go with the re-signing of West Indies all-rounder, Romario Shepherd.

The new rookie draft saw 80 players, aged 22 or under and who had never played in SA20 before, go up for selection. Connor Esterhuizen (MI Cape Town), Bryce Parsons (Durban’s Super Giants), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Paarl Royals), Ronan Hermann (Joburg Super Kings), Steve Stolk (Pretoria Capitals) and Andile Simelane (Sunrisers Eastern Cape) are Betway SA20’s rookie class of 2024.

Full list of Betway SA20 Season 2 auction buys

Set 1: Batters

Joburg Super Kings: Wayne Madsen (R850 000), Pretoria Capitals: Paul Stirling (R425 000), MI Cape Town: Chris Benjamin (R175 000)

Set 2: Wicketkeepers

Pretoria Capitals: Kyle Verreynne (R175 000), Paarl Royals: John Turner (R425 000)

Set 3: All-rounders

Joburg Super Kings: Dayyaan Galiem (R1.6 million); Romario Shepherd (R850 000), Pretoria Capitals: Matthew Boast (R1.6 million)

Set 4: Fast bowlers

retoria Capitals: Daryn Dupavillon (R600 000),

Set 5: Spinners

Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Caleb Seleka (R175 000)

Express Set:

Paarl Royals: Lorcan Tucker (R175 000), Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Beyers Swanepoel (R600 000), Durban’s Super Giants: Jason Smith (R175 000), MI Cape Town: Nealan van Heerden (R175 000); Thomas Kaber (R175 000)

Rookies:

Base price of R75 000: MI Cape Town: Connor Esterhuizen, Durban’s Super Giants: Bryce Parsons, Paarl Royals: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Joburg Super Kings: Ronan Hermann, Pretoria Capitals: Steve Stolk, Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Andile Simelane


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Ravi Shastri, Stuart Broad and AB de Villiers headline stellar cast of Betway SA20 on-air talent

Cricketing punditry royalty set to grace the League as Julia Stuart and Mellissa Reddy return home for a blockbuster season 2

Thursday, 21 December 2023: A galaxy of internationally renowned star former cricketers from England legend Stuart Broad, to Indian great Ravi Shastri and South African icon AB de Villiers, are set to offer expert analysis during the second edition of Betway SA20 starting on 10 January 2024.

The competition will also mark the return home of English Premier League presenter and anchor, Julia Stuart, as well as journalist Melissa Reddy to cover the showpiece event. Fresh from leading SuperSport’s coverage of the Rugby World Cup, Motshidisi Mohono brings her expertise and charisma to the match-day broadcast.

Other high-profile analysts include SA-born former England master blaster Kevin Pietersen, former Proteas T20 top gun Chris Morris and ex-England international Mark Butcher.

Following the success of the inaugural competition won by Sunrisers Eastern Cape, the League and SuperSport have left no stone unturned to ensure that fans get an enhanced, informative, and unforgettable experience during the competition.

“As SuperSport, we are very excited to offer our audience a holistic viewing experience both on and off the field,” said SuperSport CEO, Rendani Ramovha.

“Fans at the stadium will be treated to world-class cricket, whilst those who will be watching the action via DStv Stream or on Premium will get expert analysis from cricketing legends.”

Other firm favourites making a return from Season 1 include Mpumelelo “Pommie” Mbangwa, Mike Haysman, Mark Nicholas and Urooj Mumtaz.

“We are thrilled with the calibre of commentators and presenters we have on board for Season 2 of Betway SA20,” League Commissioner, Graeme Smith said.

“The League understands the importance of having credible voices behind the microphone to tell our story. The team we have put together are knowledgeable, passionate and relatable to our diverse SA20 audience, but will also captivate the new audiences we are looking to reach. From legendary ex-players, seasoned experts making a mark both locally and internationally, viewers will be engaged, educated and entertained.”

All games will be broadcast live on SuperSport Cricket, DStv channel 212 with bitesize highlights available on DStv Catch Up. All matches will be available in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa commentary.


Official list of Betway SA20 Talent

1. Mark Nicholas

2. Ravi Shastri 

3. Kevin Pietersen 

4. Mike Haysman 

5. Mark Butcher 

6. Stuart Broad

7. Urooj Mumtaz

8. Chris Morris 

9. Shaun Pollock 

10. Pommie Mbangwa 

11. Vernon Philander

12. AB De Villiers 

13. Ashwell Prince 

14. Nikhil Chandani 

15. Melissa Reddy

16. Julia Stuart 

17. Motshidisi Mohono
 
Look at the test squad of South Africa for the New Zealand tour (2024) – it's full of uncapped players. This shows how badly the South Africa board wants the SAT20 to be a successful league.

South Africa 2 Test match tour of New Zealand (2024)

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced a 14-player squad for the next month. Momentum Multiply Titans batter Neil Brand will captain the side that includes Test batters David Bedingham and Keegan Petersen, who are currently involved in the ongoing Betway Test series against India, along...
ppforum.pakpassion.net ppforum.pakpassion.net

This illustrates the changing dynamics of cricket, cricket boards are now seemingly ignoring Test series for T20 leagues.
 
Saturday, 6 January 2024: International squads preparing for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean later this year are using Betway SA20 teams as crucial preparation ahead of the global showpiece. The Netherlands and Namibia will fine-tune their strategies against some of the best domestic talent and the world’s top cricketers who are also currently preparing for Season 2 of the league starting on 10 January 2024.

The Netherlands will face Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Paarl Royals, and MI Cape Town, while Namibia will prepare against Joburg Super Kings.

The move is an indication of the competitive nature of the League, which produced high-quality cricket and performances in the inaugural season in 2023.

Namibia Head Coach, Pierre de Bruyn, says the quality of the opposition and facilities will give his squad the ideal preparation for the global event taking place in June.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to play against a top franchise like the Joburg Super Kings in these matches. For the Namibian players, it is another opportunity to use it as a measuring tool against a variety of top international players. Secondly, playing at a world-class stadium is very similar to what you will get playing at a World Cup, we experienced that at the last two World Cups in the UAE and Australia, and as a player you can use this platform to simulate that World Cup coming in June, which will be against some quality players.”

Equally, instead of opting for the usual internal inter-squad matches for preparation, the franchise teams are pulling out all the stops in their preparations to give themselves the best chance of success in the eagerly anticipated second season which starts on Wednesday, 10 January.

Betway SA20 League Commissioner, Graeme Smith said: "The League is thrilled to be able to provide a preparatory platform for Associate teams eyeing success in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup later this year. Our League's commitment to promoting cricketing talent aligns with the aspirations of these teams. We look forward to seeing the incredible growth and performances of these teams as they gear up for the pinnacle event in the T20 format in June.

“It’s also equally beneficial for the franchise teams to have competitive warm-up matches against international opponents as we approach season two starting on 10 January,” Smith added. “The squads this season are packed with exciting local and international stars, the stage is set for an entertaining month of cricket."

The first match of Season 2 kicks off on Wednesday, 10 January when defending champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape host Joburg Super Kings.

Warm-up match itinerary and media arrangements:

Saturday, 6 January

Sunrisers Eastern Cape v Netherlands – 17h30 St George’s Park (Match open to media wishing to attend)

Sunday, 7 January

Joburg Super Kings v Namibia – 10h00 Wanderers (Match open to media wishing to attend)

Paarl Royals v Netherlands – 17h30 Boland Park (match is closed to media and spectators)

Monday, 8 January

MI Cape Town v Netherlands – Newlands (match is closed to media and spectators)

Tuesday, 9 January

Paarl Royals v Netherlands – 17h30 Boland Park (Match open to media wishing to attend)​
 
The second edition of the SA20 will see the winning team getting a prize money of 34 million rand (15 crore INR approx). The runner-up team will claim 16.25 million rand (7.2 crore INR approx) share of the prize money.

Meanwhile, The winning team in IPL 2023, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), received a prize money of Rs 20 crores (INR). The runner-up team, Gujarat Titans (GT) earned Rs 13 crore(INR).

Pakistan Super League (PSL) is a fair bit away from the IPL and SA20 as far as prize money shares are concerned. In PSL 2023, Lahore Qalandars bagged PKR 120 million (INR 3.40 crore approx.) for emerging victorious. Multan Sultans finished runner-up and they had to be content with PKR 48 million (INR 1.36 crore approx.).
 
Another IPL is going to happen in South Africa with the typical mindset of excluding Pakistani players
 
Kingsmead will play host to two of the biggest T20 stars in the world game when Durban’s Super Giants and MI Cape Town clash in the Betway SA20 today.

Nicholas Pooran will be in the DSG corner and will go head-to-head against his legendary Trinidad and Tobago compatriot Kieron Pollard, who will captain MI Cape Town.

Pooran has been prolific in T20 franchise tournaments all around the world the past 12 months and will be looking to set Kingsmead alight.

In typical Caribbean fashion, Pooran was modest about his achievements and was just eager to make a positive impact at his new team in a format of the game he particularly enjoys.

“First of all I'm not a superstar. I just want to continue what I've been doing for the last couple of years, which is being consistent, and helping my teammates perform,” Pooran said.

“I'm a T20 specialist … the fans come out and watch T20 cricket. I have gone down that route. I think T20s are wonderful. Not only players but fans are attracted to T20 cricket.”

Pooran is certainly enjoying Durban’s tropical climate while former DSG captain Quinton de Kock has taken him under his wing.

“It is similar to home, it's beautiful. The guys have been really welcoming. Quinny tells me the conditions are beautiful to bat. The guys keep telling me about the atmosphere so I’m keen to see the fans come out and hopefully we can put up a wonderful show (against MI Cape Town),” he said.

Pollard, meanwhile, is hoping to help MI Cape Town deliver a better showing than in the inaugural Betway SA20 season last year.

“I’m coming in to try and make a difference, obviously from a team perspective we didn’t do as well as we thought we should have [last season]. I just want to come and give the fans something to cheer about,” Pollard said.

Pooran, however, is determined to see DSG maintain their winning record at home over MI Cape Town after clinching a last-over thriller last season at Kingsmead.

“The coaching staff have done their homework. The first year was a learning experience, not only for our franchise but all the others as well. Every team wants to win this tournament and I know personally that tournaments are not easy to win. There's a lot of planning and we have some different strategies this season so hopefully it works for us and we bring the title to Durban,” he said.

“They (MI Cape Town) have a lot of good players but it's the game on the day. It is all about execution. Bat versus ball, simple as that. Whoever can hold their nerve for as long as possible will obviously have a better chance of winning. We are ready and looking forward to the challenge.”

MI Cape Town have, though, tapped into the local knowledge of “hometown” boy Grant Roelofsen.

Roelofsen plays his domestic cricket at Kingsmead and would have shared plenty of tactical information with his MI Cape Town teammates.

“I’m obviously playing for a different team, but it’s still my home ground. So, it’s good to be back. I would like to think that some people will still be on my side. I’m excited to run out for MI Cape Town,” Roelofson said.

“Our squad has left no stone unturned. With me being the local boy they have tapped into my knowledge having played here for a while now.”

MI Cape Town have been hit by a couple of injuries in the build-up to this opening game with West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard taking over the captaincy duties from Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, while Sri Lankan seamer Nuwan Thushara has replaced England’s Jofra Archer.​
 
Cricket Warrior said:
Another IPL is going to happen in South Africa with the typical mindset of excluding Pakistani players
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There is one IPL and it will always one for forever .Indian fan's are the reason IPL is growing each year. IPL Team owner's can buy any team around the world but Indian local fan's doesn't care about that .
 
Devadwal said:
There is one IPL and it will always one for forever .Indian fan's are the reason IPL is growing each year. IPL Team owner's can buy any team around the world but Indian local fan's doesn't care about that .
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ok if their fans genuinely don't care then why don't they pick any players from Pakistan?

It shouldn't be an issue as it's not the IPL..... right?
 
Cricket Warrior said:
ok if their fans genuinely don't care then why don't they pick any players from Pakistan?

It shouldn't be an issue as it's not the IPL..... right?
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why would IPL owners who are mostly Indians would want to deal with any potential issues due to including Pakistani players. what is the upside? its not like there are butlers, warners, cummins or gayles in Pakistan cricket. Sure there are competent players just like everywhere else. So Indian owners would just derisk and just refuse to deal with them. Nothing is stopping PSL owners to buy these franchises and include whoever they want.
 
I wonder if it's possible that no Pakistan players are in the SA20 because there's an overlapping international series with New Zealand......
 
Heinrich Klaasen and Ryan Rickelton produced sizzling performances for Durban’s Super Giants and MI Cape Town, respectively, to get Betway SA20 Season 2 underway in thrilling fashion at Kingsmead on Thursday evening.

Ultimately, it was Klaasen’s 85 off 35 balls (4x4, 8x6) that edged out Rickelton’s 87 off 51 balls (6x4, 6x6) that allowed DSG to open their campaign with an 11-run Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS Method) victory, after a late downpour brought an early close to proceedings.

The match was delicately poised at that stage with DSG on 177/6, still requiring 31 runs off 21 balls, in pursuit of MI Cape Town’s 207/5.

Durban’s Super Giants had earlier won the toss and opted to put MI Cape Town in to bat with Rickelton showing his intent early on by smashing England fast bowler Richard Gleeson for 23 in his first over.

MI Cape Town were 61/0 after the six-over Powerplay, with Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen (24 off 20 balls) eventually sharing an 82-run opening stand in only 7.3 overs before Keamo Paul brought about the opening breakthrough.

Dewald Brevis walked in at No 3 and struck his first ball to the boundary, but his innings was short-lived with DSG captain Keshav Maharaj having him brilliantly caught in the deep by a diving Matthew Breetzke.

MI Cape Town rookie, Connor Esterhuizen, showed off his talent with a couple of sweetly-timed boundaries on his debut, but fell on his sword for 17 off just 10 balls.

Rickelton unfortunately fell short of striking the first century of Betway SA20 Season 2 when Paul deceived him with a slower ball which he chopped on to his stumps.

Liam Livingstone (25 off 20 balls) and MI Cape Town captain Kieron Pollard (31 not out off 14 balls) ensured the visitors did not lose momentum towards the backend of the innings with a couple of brisk cameos towards the backend of the innings.

West Indies all-rounder Paul was DSG’s most successful bowler with figures of 2/31.

DSG’s response was stifled with the loss of former captain Quinton de Kock and Wiaan Mulder within the first 2.2 overs, although Breetzke and Paul guided the hosts to 52/2 at the end of the Powerplay, before the latter departed the very next ball.

Breetzke struck a few delightful boundaries in his 39 off 24 balls (4x4, 2x6) but he perished in the deep off the bowling of Sam Curran.

DSG coach, Lance Klusener, had held Klaasen and West Indian Nicholas Pooran back after the loss of the early wickets, but the game was evenly poised when the star pairing eventually joined forces at 99/4 with 9.5 overs remaining.

Pooran showed his delicate touch with a couple of scorching drives, but his time at the crease was short lived when he was caught in the deep off Livingstone.

The stage was now Klaasen’s alone, and as he has done all over the world the past 18 months, he seized the initiative with a clinical assault on the MI Cape Town spinners.

It forced MI Cape Town captain Kieron Pollard to turn towards his premier strike bowler Kagiso Rabada in an attempt to dislodge the dangerous Klaasen.

Rabada (2/23) duly obliged with Klaasen being caught on the boundary shortly before the rain intervened, but ultimately it did not affect the result as the players were not able to return to the field.

The Durban crowd also showed up in numbers with over 10,000 spectators at Kingsmead.

Player of the Match: Heinrich Klaasen (85 off 35 balls).
 
Cricket Warrior said:
ok if their fans genuinely don't care then why don't they pick any players from Pakistan?

It shouldn't be an issue as it's not the IPL..... right?
Click to expand...

I can tell you one thing, you can ask any Indian Journalist to confirm it, IPL owners just don't want to deal with the PCB.

Except KKR that is. But these days even SRK is wary of dealing with pakistanis.
 

‘RVD’ THE HERO AS MI CAPE TOWN THUMP JOBURG SUPER KINGS AT THE WANDERERS​

In the first Wanderers match of Betway SA20 Season 2, MI Cape Town have beaten hosts Joburg Super Kings by 98 runs. In the process, Kieron Pollard’s team claimed the first bonus point of the campaign.

After Faf du Plessis won the toss and decided JSK would field, rain arrived and delayed the start of Match 5 of the season by 50 minutes.

When Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton eventually arrived at the crease, the Bullring crowd was starting to hum with excitement for a campaign that promises much. They didn’t have to wait long to see one of their key signings for the season, Moeen Ali, in action as he opened the bowling from the Golf Course End. Nandre Burger, fast becoming a fan favourite across the country, took the new ball from the Corlett Drive End.

Initially, MICT accumulated in singles as they assessed the pitch, before van der Dussen lashed back-to-back fours off Lizaad Williams’ first over.

Back-to-back boundaries started to become a trend for ‘RVD’ and ‘Ricks’ as the latter smashed two sixes off a Burger over, then the former slashed consecutive fours off a Williams over before Rickelton again picked off consecutive fours to bring up MICT’s 50 off just 27 balls.

Du Plessis tried his best to rotate his JSK battery of bowlers but none could stem the runs – Romario Shepherd went for 16 off his first over, and so did veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir.

At that stage the projected score was 220, but little did JSK and their passionate punters know.

Van der Dussen and Rickelton, who both play their domestic cricket at the Wanderers, helped themselves to boundaries at will. Van der Dussen brought up his 50 off 26 balls, then the pair brought up their century partnership off 53 balls before Rickelton totted up his second fifty of the season, off 28 balls.

By then runs were flowing freely off the bats of the opening pair.

“It looked to me straight off the bat like an ‘old’ Wanderers pitch - it was going around a little bit initially,” revealed Van der Dussen post-match.

“To an extent we were fairly relieved, especially because they played three spinners, but we reverted to a traditional Wanderers game plan.”

That insider knowledge sure worked, not least for Van der Dussen who brought up a deserved century off 46 balls courtesy nine 4s and six 6s. A few balls later, he and Rickelton ticked the score to 200 without loss – by now well ahead of the League record partnership (for any wicket) of 157 set by Du Plessis and Reeza Hendricks last season.

When van der Dussen finally departed, for 104, attention switched to whether his partner could also reach the hallowed three-figure mark.

Unfortunately, it was not to be, when Burger found an edge off Rickelton’s bat and Ronan Herrmann did the rest to leave the left-hander two short on 98 – his new highest T20 score.

Dewald Brevis and Liam Livingstone had come and gone while the milestones were being achieved and passionately celebrated, and when Sam Curran was bowled off the final ball MICT had set JSK a mammoth 244 to win.

When their turn came to bat, Super Kings faltered almost from the get-go. In the second over, Reeza Hendricks and Du Plessis miscommunicated going for a third run and the former was run out - in part sacrificing himself.

JSK’s rookie Ronan Herrmann came to the crease and showed intent but his execution let him down when trying to go big off Kagiso Rabada and Beuran Hendricks snaffled a catch down at third man. Du Plessis (6 off 10) and Ali (11 off 8) then fell in short succession the heart of JSK’s batting lineup were back in the changeroom.

Leus du Plooy was not shirking from the challenge, however. The left-hander attacked the men in blue but almost on his own as he raced to 48 off 24 before an ill-judged second run saw his innings end at the arm of Beuran Hendricks and nifty work from Rickelton.

Shepherd tried valiantly too, but having been dropped twice in the outfield, Pollard was not going to give him a third chance when bucketing a hooked skier off Stone’s bowling – he departed for 34 off 19.

Thereafter the tailenders offered little resistance to the MICT bowling attack, who all picked up wickets in the innings – George Linde and Olly Stone being the pick with 2/25 off four overs and 2/18 off 2.5 overs respectively.

Joburg Super Kings won’t have long to lick their wounds before being back in action on Monday at Kingsmead against Durban’s Super Giants. MI Cape Town, meanwhile, now get to look forward to their first home match of the season when they host Sunrisers Eastern Cape on Tuesday at Newlands. Both matches start at 17:30.

Source: SA20
 
What about the legendary duo of openers from Pakistan? Surely they want 2 40+ averaging batsmen, no?

Being unselected for The Hundred, and now SAT20…. Hmm why is it that these once in a gen t20 batsmen can’t get into these leagues? 🤔 🧐 🤨 🤧
 
MATCH 8: Sunrisers Eastern Cape beat MI Cape Town by 4 runs.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape 202/2 (20)
MI Cape Town 198/5 (20)
 
Quality of cricket, production and crowd involvement are very good. I woild say this is the second best league to watch. Excellent fielding, unbelievable catches, great hitting and some very good bowling. I can see why CSA wants to prioritize this. Looking at the crowd which seems to be enjoying it, I don't blame CSA one bit
 
2007 world T20 also had fantastic T20 atmosphere. Any ICC event at SA is amazing to watch. No surprise SA20 is a hit.
 
hilarious how people say this is the second best league only because of ipl owners owning the teams.
 
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Don't really follow T20 leagues a ton unless there is an exceptional performance or two but I've actually managed to get through a few matches in this league

I find it highly entertaining. Loaded with talent - both foreign and local, great crowds , very good pitches , picturesque stadia of South Africa, reasonably good commentary

Pound for pound , I can't think of a single league that's better than SA20 right now.

Congrats to Graeme Smith and co. for seeing this through

Thoughts?
 

Sunrisers Eastern Cape beat Sunrisers Eastern Cape by 5 wickets.​


Durban's Super Giants 159/7 (20)
Sunrisers Eastern Cape 163/5 (19.2)
 
Basically IPL championship it is , sad state of affairs for international cricket
 
Happy for South African and wish it to be a success. Also thankful to them for excluding Pakistani players. Less headache for fans and PCB as some greedy players would want to play this as well and get injured. I hope every league in the world excludes pakistan cricket. PSL is enough. We want trophies. I have no concern with a player’s bank balance or a board’s bank balance for that matter.
 
Paarl Royals made Betway SA20 history when they claimed their first Cape Derby victory over MI Cape Town at the sizzling Boland Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Royals had previously been defeated on three occasions by the neighbours from Cape Town, with the latest reversal having been Friday evening at Newlands.

The winelands franchise were eager to regain their winning momentum and delivered a clinical bonus point 59-run victory to entrench their position at the top of the Betway SA20 log with 18 points.

MI Cape Town’s third defeat of the competition left them in fourth place with nine points.

Local hero, Bjorn Fortuin, was the star of the show for the Royals with the left-arm spinner delivering an inspired performance with the new ball. Fortuin claimed two wickets in the first over of the Royals’ chase, removing both Rassie van der Dussen and Dewald Brevis with successive deliveries.

MI Cape Town were certainly in dire straits when they also lost the competition's leading run-scorer Ryan Rickelton shortly afterwards for just five to reduce the visitors to 13/3. It was the first time that Rickelton had been dismissed for under fifty this season.

Fortuin returned for a second spell later and was rewarded with further success when George Linde was also dismissed for a duck. Fortuin finished with the impeccable figures of 3/15 as the visitors folded for 103 all out.

It was a complete bowling performance from the Royals, with fellow left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (2/11) and seamers Obed McCoy (2/18) and Lungi Ngidi (2/26) all relishing their home conditions at Boland Park.

In contrast, the Royals batters had earlier showed their neighbours the blueprint to scoring runs at Boland Park.

Openers Jason Roy and Jos Buttler were selective in their shot making, but authoritative when they went on the attack as the pair added 116 for the first wicket that set the platform for the home side's eventual 162/3.

Roy struck a Royals’ best of 68 off 46 balls, while Buttler contributed 54 off 42 balls.

Although the Royals lost their way a bit, with MI Cape Town new signing Nuwan Thushara reigning in the home side with figures of 2/27 on debut, the winelands side were not going to be denied a momentous victory on the day.

Player of the Match: Bjorn Fortuin (3/15).
 
Wednesday, 24 January 2024: The Paarl Royals withstood the absence of their injured captain, David Miller, to entrench their position at the top of the Betway SA20 table at the Wanderers on Wednesday evening.

Miller was ruled out with a calf strain ahead of the game, with England white-ball skipper Jos Buttler taking over the leadership duties.

The five-wicket victory over the Joburg Super Kings exhibited the Royals’ batting depth with Wihan Lubbe, and the incoming Dane Vilas sharing a 95-run partnership for the fourth wicket to steer the visitors home.

Lubbe struck 57 of 48 balls (3x4, 3x6), while Vilas contributed 42 (26 balls, 4x4, 1x6) in his first match of Season 2 to help the Royals reach their victory target of 171/5.

Buttler also contributed 22 at the top, but it was West Indies import Fabian Allen (17 not out, 7 balls, 2x6) that provided the extravagant finishing touch with a straight six off the first ball of Lizaad Williams’ final over of the innings.

The Royals are certainly looking early contenders in the race to secure a playoff spot with 22 points.

Shane Bond’s team have shown great improvement in their ability to now also win on the Highveld - the victory over JSK being their second consecutive win up north - to add to the impressive home form at Boland Park.

Meanwhile, JSK were unable to build any momentum after their “Big City” derby victory over Pretoria Capitals over the weekend.

The start to the Super Kings innings had been a struggle after Royals left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin delivered a miserly four-over spell of 0/14 upfront with the new ball.

But Faf du Plessis’s team were still able to post a competitive 168/3, courtesy of Reeza Hendricks' stroke-filled 79 not out off 56 balls (7x4, 3x6), Leus du Plooy’s 30 off 16 balls and Moeen Ali’s 24 not out (12 balls).

Royals’ in-form seamer Lungi Ngidi moved back to the top of the competition’s wicket-takers list with the dismissal of Du Plessis, but struggled towards the backend of the innings to finish with 1/59.

JSK remain in fifth position on the Betway SA20 table with six points from six matches.

Player of the Match: Reeza Hendricks (79 not out).
 
Can’t be arsed to follow these hollow tournaments outside of India that have issues with signing Pakistani cricketers
 
Former Proteas star, AB de Villiers, believes the race to the Betway SA20 finish line will be determined by the team which peaks at the right time. As the Leage enters into the crucial second half, all six teams have it all to play for to cement their places in the Playoffs taking place at Newlands in Cape Town (6 February) and Wanderers in Johannesburg (7&8 February).

Paarl Royals currently top the log with 22 points, followed by Durban’s Super Giants in second on 18 points and defending Champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape in third on 15 points. Meanwhile, MI Cape Town, Joburg Super Kings and Pretoria Capitals are in a scramble at the bottom half of the table.

“Halfway through, Pretoria Capitals and Joburg Super Kings are sitting at the bottom of the log. I have seen it across so many competitions with teams making comebacks, and once they find a bit of rhythm at the right time of the competition, they are very hard to stop,” De Villirs said.

”I think of Australia in the ICC Men’s World Cup recently, Sunrisers Eastern Cape won this competition last season by sneaking in and finding a little momentum at the right time of the competition. That’s what JSK and Pretoria Capitals will be hoping for. ”

The standard of cricket in Season 2 has been raised to another level this year. Both the batters and bowlers have delivered record-breaking individual performances almost on a daily basis.

This has also created plenty of competition for the Batter of the Season, Bowler of the Season, and Rising Star of the Season awards.

There is, however, none more prestigious than the overall Betway Player of the Season.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain, Aiden Markram, who was also the first to raise the Betway SA20 trophy aloft, was the inaugural winner last season.

For Season 2, the League has partnered with cricket’s leading analytics specialists, CricViz, to use their unique data science model to help choose the end-of-season individual awards.

The CricViz model is a performance evaluation measure that is used to assess the performance of players across a match and competition.

It allows Betway SA20 to compare the performance of players across different roles (batting, bowling and fielding) and phases of the game. Additionally players are rewarded for winning the match, with the captain of the winning team receiving an additional bonus.

MI Cape Town opener, Ryan Rickelton, is leading the race to succeed Markram after setting the competition ablaze at the start with four consecutive half-centuries. He also formed part of a record 200-run opening stand with Rassie van der Dussen against Joburg Super Kings at the Wanderers.

Rickelton has shot to the top of the standings with 139.11 points, accumulated through 132.11 for batting and 4.0 for fielding.

“I am very excited about the youngsters coming through,” De Villiers said. “Rickelton is right up there. He has been knocking on the door for some time. I am happy that he is getting to a level now where people are starting to talk about him.”

Durban’s Super Giants’ Heinrich Klaasen is in second place at the moment with 87.54 (batting) and 12 (fielding) points to raise his tally to 105.54.

Klaasen was spectacular in DSG’s opening home game at Kingsmead when he stroked 85 off only 35 balls.

Centurion’s favourite son, Will Jacks, occupies third place with 103.72 points. The Pretoria Capitals star has struck a brilliant 101 already, but also been an all-round performer with his points tally gained by virtue of 55.67 (batting), 36.05 (bowling) and 10.00 (fielding).

Last season’s Batter of the Season, Jos Buttler, is once again in the running with 93.82 points. It certainly helps that Buttler is also a wicket-keeper with 16 fielding points added to his 70.82 batting points.

Joburg Super Kings’ Leus du Plooy has moved into fifth place with 80.86 points.

The leading bowler on the Betway Player of the Season list is the tournament’s top-wicket taker Lungi Ngidi in seventh spot with 71.40 points, while DSG captain Keshav Maharaj is placed ninth on 67.14.

The Legend of more than 400 T20 matches has been impressed with the high-quality cricket and overall stadium experience that has lit up Season 2 of the League at all six venues around the country.

“It’s absolutely Incredible!,” he said.”

“I think it's been absolutely incredible. The atmosphere is amazing. People talk about it in the streets,” De Villiers said.

“My friends are asking me for tickets. I haven't been asked for tickets in ages!

“You see the children playing on the grass banks and having a fun time, they are falling in love with the game all over again.”
 
Daryn Dupavillon displayed nerves of steel and successfully defended 11 runs in the final over to power Pretoria Capitals to a thrilling three-run victory over Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the 18th match of the SA20 here on Thursday.

Put into bat first, the Capitals could score 125 runs on a tricky surface and were bundled out in 18.5 overs.

The Capitals, after getting off to a dismal start, lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually reduced to 52/5 inside the powerplay.

Following the slump, James Neesham joined forces with Shane Dadswell and anchored the innings.

The pair added a crucial 52 runs for the sixth wicket before both fell in quick succession.

Neesham remained the top-scorer for the Capitals with a 26-ball 27 which featured two sixes. Dadswell, however, scored a cautious 24 off 26 deliveries with the help of one boundary and a six.

Capitals’ skipper Wayne Parnell played a crucial 13-run cameo at the backend before Eastern Cape booked them on 125 in the 19th over.

Marco Jansen led Eastern Cape’s bowling charge with 3/27, followed by Daniel Worrall, who bagged two.

In pursuit of a modest 126-run target, the Eastern Cape’s batting lineup folded on 122 and thus succumbed to a three-run defeat.

The Eastern Cape had a worse start to their innings as they were four down on 32 in 8.2 overs.

Tristan Stubbs and Patrick Kruger then looked to settle things down with a cautious 40-run partnership but Parnell got rid of the latter to open the floodgates.

Kruger remained a notable contributor with a 21-ball 22 which featured two boundaries and a six.

Parnell then struck again in the same over to send Marco Jansen packing for a four-ball duck and reduced the Eastern Cape to 72/6 in 14.5 overs.

The Eastern Cape suffered a serious blow to their hopes when Adil Rashid removed their mainstay Stubbs in the 17th over with the side needing a further 26 runs. Stubbs top-scored 35 off 30 deliveries, hitting three boundaries and a six.

Liam Dawson then took the reigns of the run chase and had glimmered a ray of hope for the Eastern Cape when he smashed Parnell for two sixes in the penultimate over.

He then smashed Dupavillon for a sensational six on the third delivery of the final over, bringing down the equation to four required off two.

Dupavillon, on the other hand, recollected himself and bowled a steamy yorker to Dawson, who did well to block it.

With four runs required on the final delivery, Dawson shimmied across his stumps and tried to scoop it to fine leg but failed to connect. He remained unbeaten 29 off 16 deliveries, including one boundary and three sixes.

Parnell and Rashid bagged three wickets each for the Capitals while Daryn Dupavillon bagged two.

The three-run victory lifted Pretoria Capitals from the bottom and onto the fifth spot in the SA20 standings with eight points in six matches while Sunrisers Eastern Cape remained third with 15 points in as many matches.
 
Quinton de Kock powered Durban’s Super Giants to the top of the Betway SA20 table at Boland Park on Friday evening.

De Kock has been relatively quiet throughout Season 2, before exploding with 83 off 51 balls for the Super Giants to overtake their hosts Paarl Royals at the summit of the log

Batting in the unfamiliar No 4 position, De Kock joined Jon Jon Smuts (52) at the crease with the pair adding 118 off only 82 balls for the third wicket.

De Kock was then joined by Heinrich Klaasen, with the latter taking over the role of aggressor with 30 not out off just nine deliveries to lift DSG to 190/3.

The Royals chase begun in a positive fashion, but once Jason Roy was dismissed, clean bowled by Smuts, the remainder of the home team’s batting line-up could not keep up with the escalating run-rate.

Even with fit-again captain David Miller back in the Royals line-up, the Super Giants bowling unit managed to maintain a tight grip on proceedings.

It was only Royals' leading run-scorer, Jos Buttler, that tried to keep his team's innings afloat with 44 off 36 balls, but once he was caught off DSG captain Keshav Maharaj all resistance crumbled.

Maharaj was once again brilliant with a spell of 2/24 before Marcus Stoinis (3/24) and Reece Topley (2/27) to restrict the Royals to 133 all out.

DSG now lead the table with 23 points followed by Royals one point behind on 22.

Player of the Match: Quinton de Kock (83* off 51).
 
Saj said:
Losing track of all these leagues now.

So many of them. International cricket will become an afterthought in the not too distant future.
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International cricket esp. tests cricket is being dragged by ICC, it may take 5 years or 10 but in the end test cricket will cease to exist. Most young players all across the world only want to play in leagues. Look at what's happening in India, couple of ibg money IPL players have refused to play Ranji this season.
 
happydavy said:
International cricket esp. tests cricket is being dragged by ICC, it may take 5 years or 10 but in the end test cricket will cease to exist. Most young players all across the world only want to play in leagues. Look at what's happening in India, couple of ibg money IPL players have refused to play Ranji this season.
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Like?
 
Surely there will be a saturation point for these ill-fated leagues, money can't buy success specially for these plastic franchise
 
The Road to the Betway SA20 Playoffs leads to Kingsmead on Sunday afternoon, where Durban’s Super Giants (DSG) host Paarl Royals (Royals) in a rematch of Friday’s fixture in the winelands.

While Friday’s bonus point win saw DSG both end Royals’ unbeaten home run in 2024 to go top of the log standings on 23 points (one above Royals), the winner today will be the first to secure a playoffs berth in Betway SA20 Season 2. MI Cape Town, currently in fifth place, can only get to a maximum of 24 points which either DSG or Royals would exceed with a win.

Friday’s match saw the return to form of Quinton de Kock, whose 83 not out did just as DSG head coach Lance Klusener predicted by “winning us big games”. DSG captain Keshav Maharaj echoed their coach’s assertion post-match.

“We saw the class of Quinny and I’m so happy for him that he’s back in his rhythms. He showed the positive intent of an ‘in’ batter at the end and helped us and then Klaasie [Heinrich Klaasen] – we know what he can do – was exceptional at the end. I’m very proud of the boys.”

Seeing De Kock walked out to bat at number 4 rather than open or first drop, surprised many observers but Maharaj confirmed that he embraced the change of position.

“Quinny’s quite easy to handle, I think he’d bat anywhere in the batting lineup so full credit to him for taking on the responsibility and showing such maturity throughout the innings. The way he paced his innings was absolutely superb and sublime to watch.”

Meanwhile, with playoffs qualification all but secured, Maharaj cautioned his team against getting ahead of themselves.

“It’s not about taking our foot off the gas and getting complacent. It’s about making sure we still playing to our rhythms and executing our skills. If you asked us before the Cape trip what we thought of two bonus points then we would have taken it happily.”

For Maharaj, finishing first or second at the end of the group stage has to be DSG goal now.

“It’s crucial, you know it’s always nice to qualify but if you give yourself an extra bite of the cherry then it makes life a little bit less tense but we’re taking nothing for granted because we still want to go as high as we can in this competition and put ourselves in a position to finish in the top two.”

Royals’ captain David Miller, who returned from a calf injury that he confirmed was “strong”, was eager to not harp on about Friday’s blip.

“I don’t think there’s anything to be concerned about, just a couple of conversations to be had around a few areas like what the guys were thinking in certain moments of the game.”

The hard-hitting left-hander spoke in a similar vein to Maharaj when looking forward to the last three group stage matches before the playoffs.

“I think we’ve been really consistent throughout the competition. That was only our second game lost in seven games so we’re on a good path, but momentum is key here so we don’t want to take our foot off the gas towards the back-end. We want to really stamp our authority and play the cricket that we know – unfortunately this game, T20, can sometimes go like that.”

This match will start at 15h30 (SAST).

FULL SQUADS FOR KINGSMEAD

Durban's Super Giants: Keshav Maharaj (captain), Noor Ahmad, Matthew Breetzke, Junior Dala, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Heinrich Klaasen, Kyle Mayers, Wiaan Mulder, Naveen-ul-Haq Murid, Bryce Parsons, Keemo Paul, Dwaine Pretorius, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jon-Jon Smuts, Jason Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Prenelan Subrayen, Reece Topley.

Paarl Royals: David Miller (captain), Ferisco Adams, Fabian Allen, Jos Buttler, Keith Dudgeon, Bjorn Fortuin, Evan Jones, Wihan Lubbe, Obed McCoy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Andile Phehlukwayo, Jason Roy, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lorcan Tucker, John Turner, Mitchell van Buuren, Dane Vilas, Codi Yusuf.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Match referee: Zama Ndamane

Standing umpires: Abdoellah Steenkamp and Abongile Sodumo

TV umpire: Stephen Harris

Reserve umpire: Ryan Hendricks
 

DURBAN'S SUPER GIANTS OVERPOWER PAARL ROYALS TO CLINCH PLAYOFFS SPOT​


Durban's Super Giants delivered an emphatic statement at Kingsmead to become the first team to qualify for the Betway SA20 Season 2 playoffs.

The Super Giants overpowered the second-placed Paarl Royals by 125 runs to claim a bonus win that propelled Lance Klusener's side to 28 points.

It was a perfect all-round performance from the Super Giants with the batting powered by the competition's fastest half-century off just 17 balls by Heinrich Klaasen.

The Proteas superstar smashed two boundaries and seven sixes to eclipse Joburg Super Kings’ Donovan Ferreira’s previous best of 18 balls.

It followed on from Matthew Breetzke’s equally rapid 78 off 43 balls (5x4, 6x6) and Marcus Stoinis’ 38 off 36 balls.

The batting pyrotechnics lifted DSG to an imposing 208/7.

Tabraiz Shamsi (2/20) and Obed McCoy (2/57) were the chief wicket-takers for the Royals, but McCoy suffered at the backend when Klaasen was in full flow.

The Royals were never in the hunt during their run chase with Reece Topley removing his countryman Jos Buttler for just six.

The visitors' failed to build any momentum with Stoinis and Naveen-ul-Haq also chipping in with a couple of wickets.

This set up the platform for Afghanistan mystery spinner Noor Ahmad to weave his magic.

Ahmad claimed 5/11 in 3.2 overs as he ran through the Royals middle order in rapid fashion.



www.sa20.co.za

DSG overpower Royals to clinch Playoffs spot

Durban's Super Giants delivered an emphatic statement at Kingsmead to become the first team to qualify for the Betway SA20 Season 2 Playoffs.. READ MORE.
www.sa20.co.za www.sa20.co.za
 
Joburg Super Kings beat MI Cape Town by 10 wickets (with 14 balls remaining) (DLS method)

MI Cape Town 80/3 (8/8)
Joburg Super Kings 98/0 (5.4/8)
 
hassan918 said:
Joburg Super Kings beat MI Cape Town by 10 wickets (with 14 balls remaining) (DLS method)

MI Cape Town 80/3 (8/8)
Joburg Super Kings 98/0 (5.4/8)
Click to expand...

Faf du Plessis won the battle of the captains in his duel with Kieron Pollard to reignite Joburg Super Kings’ Betway SA20 campaign at a drenched Newlands on Monday evening.

Du Plessis struck 50 not out off 20 balls to lead JSK to a 10-wicket victory after the match was reduced to eight over per side. A two-hour downpour had interrupted MI Cape Town’s innings after the completion of the Power Play.

Leus du Plooy also played his supporting role in magnificent fashion with 41 not out off 14 balls as the Super Kings also earned an invaluable bonus point for chasing down the revised target of 98 in just 5.4 overs.

Du Plessis and Du Plooy were magnificent from the outset with the latter kick starting the run chase in the most dramatic fashion with a lap shot over fine leg for six off Nuwan Thushara’s very first delivery.

From there on, the pair were virtually unstoppable as the MI Cape Town bowlers struggled to maintain their lines and lengths as light drizzle began to fall.

Earlier, MI Cape Town had their innings stalled after reaching 44/1 at the conclusion of the Power Play.

The home side lost two further wickets after the restart with veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir (2/13) claiming the scalps of both Liam Livingstone and Rickelton in the same over.

But Pollard was determined to get his team to a competitive total with the big West Indian striking four sixes in his 10-ball 33 not out to lift MI Cape Town to 80/3 - which was later revised to 97 after the Duckworth-Lewis Stern (DLS) calculations.

JSK now leapfrog both MI Cape Town and Pretoria Capitals into the fourth and final playoff spot on 13 points with two matches still remaining.

MI Cape Town drop down to sixth place with nine points, but still remain in the hunt for the playoffs with two matches against Pretoria Capitals left.

"When there is rain, you are a bit challenged, limited with the options," said JSK captain Du Plessis.

"The first over of the innings set the tone for us, takes a brave man to hit that first ball for six, the intent was key."

Meanwhile, Pollard was philosophical in defeat, but believed his team was still capable of reaching the playoffs.

"Sometimes you have no control over certain things and that's one of them. You had to maximise the 2 overs. Having said that, these things happen and we have no control over that," he said.

"At the end of the game we have to have a W, you have to take it on the chin and regroup because in a couple of days we have a game.
 

Durban's Super Giants beat Pretoria Capitals by 8 runs.​


Durban's Super Giants 174/9 (20)
Pretoria Capitals 166/9 (20)
 
hassan918 said:

Durban's Super Giants beat Pretoria Capitals by 8 runs.​


Durban's Super Giants 174/9 (20)
Pretoria Capitals 166/9 (20)
Click to expand...

Betway SA20 table-toppers, Durban's Super Giants, have booked their place in Qualifier 1 of the Playoffs at Newlands on 6 February, after extending their winning streak in their final home match of the season on Tuesday evening.

The Super Giants moved up to 32 points after claiming a third consecutive victory with an eight-run win over Pretoria Capitals, who remain at the bottom of the table with nine points.

Matthew Breetzke was once again the cornerstone of DSG’s batting performance, with a sparkling 73 off 46 balls, which earned the stylish right-hander a second consecutive Player of the Match award.

Fast bowler, Junior Dala, then delivered an inspired performance in the field with a stunning catch on the boundary before following it up with 5/26 to help restrict the Capitals to 166/9 in response to DSG’s 174/9.

Breetzke and Quinton de Kock were in the mood early on to offset the early loss of Tony de Zorzi, as the Super Giants powered to 71/1 within the Power Play.

Breetzke has been in fine form throughout the competition with his stylish cover drive becoming a trademark of Betway SA20 Season 2.

He was the chief aggressor in the 51-run partnership with De Kock for the second wicket, before Adil Rashid had the latter caught at long-off for 16.

Breetzke maintained the momentum to bring up his half century - his second consecutive fifty - off just 30 balls.

But it was at this stage that Senuran Muthusamy began utilising his vast knowledge of the local conditions to spin the home team into a web.

Muthusamy (3/25) initially removed Breetzke for 73 (46 balls, 10x4, 3x6) followed by Keemo Paul (0) before silencing the entire Kingsmead crowd when he had the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen (30 off 18 balls) caught at cover just when he was finding his rhythm.

Daryn Dupavillion also finished strongly for the Capitals with 3/25 as DSG lost eight wickets for 98 runs.

The Capitals’ run chase failed to take off, after opener Phil Salt was dismissed with the second ball.

Will Jacks played a lone hand of 41 as the Capitals faltered against Dala’s impressive pace.

Rilee Rossouw’s laboured 10 off 27 balls was an clear indication of the Capitals’ struggles.

“In the back end it got close but we controlled it well in the middle - Noor, Naveen and Junior Dala gave us that cushion at the back end. It’s a pleasing sign that everyone is standing up when needed. Hopefully we can go all the way into the competition,” Super Giants captain, Keshav Maharaj said after the match.

Capitals captain, Wayne Parnell, has not given up hope of his team qualifying for the playoffs with only two matches against fellow strugglers MI Cape Town remaining.

“I still feel after the start they had, probably 230-240 was on. To restrict them to 170 was great. We needed one big partnership in our chase,” he said.

“We have lost crucial moments in various games. There is still a lot to play for, we have two more games to go and we will see where we are after that.”

Kingsmead also celebrated its first Betway Catch 2 million catch, with Durbanite, Tyler Smith, becoming the sixth fan to catch a share of two million.
 
SUNRISERS BOWLERS TOPPLE JSK TO BOOK PLAYOFFS SPOT

Defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape have secured their place in the Betway SA20 Season 2 playoffs on Wednesday evening with a comprehensive bonus point nine-wicket victory over Joburg Super Kings at the Wanderers on Wednesday evening.

The Sunrisers were dominant from the outset after captain Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to bowl.

Daniel Worrall has been excellent with the new ball for the Sunrisers throughout the campaign and once again showed his capabilities with 3/20 to dismiss the Super Kings for just 78.

Worrall ripped the heart out of the JSK top-order by removing both Faf du Plessis and Reeza Hendricks for ducks before picking up Kyle Simmonds in his second spell to complete a wonderful first night out at the Bullring.

JSK never managed to recover from the early setbacks with Marco Jansen (2/13) and Beyers Swanepoel (2/21) picking up a couple of wickets each before Patrick Kruger delivered the coup de grace with the remarkable figures of 3 / 8.

The Sunrisers' cruised through their run chase with English pair Dawid Malan (40 not out) and Tom Abell (26 not out) sharing an unbroken 50-run partnership for the second wicket.

The only success for JSK was the wicket of Jordan Hermann, who was caught behind off Lizaad Williams for 11.

The Sunrisers' now head down to Boland Park where they will go head-to-head with the Paarl Royals in a bid to secure second place that earns an automatic place in Qualifier 1 at Newlands next week.

Meanwhile, the Super Kings' chances of qualifying for the playoffs are now hanging by a thread as they only have one more game remaining against the league leaders Durban's Super Giants on Saturday at the Wanderers.

The Super Kings are currently on 13 points with Pretoria Capitals (10) and MI Cape Town (9) all still fighting it out for the last remaining playoff spot.
 
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape will head to Qualifier 1 of the Betway SA20 Season 2 following a bonus point, 44-run victory, over the Paarl Royals at Boland Park on Friday evening.

The Sunrisers will now face Durban's Super Giants in Qualifier 1 at Newlands on Tuesday, 06 February regardless of the rematch against the Royals at St George's Park in the final round-robin match on Sunday.

The Royals, meanwhile, will await either the Joburg Super Kings, MI Cape Town, or Pretoria Capitals in the Eliminator on 07 February at the Wanderers.

The loser of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator will battle it out in Qualifier 2 on 08 February at the Wanderers for another chance at the claiming the title, while the winner of Qualifier 1 will book their spot in the Betway SA20 final on 10 February at Newlands.

Sunrisers won the toss and opted to bat first in the intense heat of the winelands.

The defending champions adapted to the slow track, and showed great tactical awareness with the promotion of all-rounder Marco Jansen up to No 4 in the batting lineup.

It proved to be an inspired decision as the Sunrisers posted a mammoth 208/4, with Jansen leading the run spree with a career-best 71 not out off only 31 balls (4x4,6x6).

He was well supported by Tom Abell (46 off 25 balls), Jordan Hermann (36 off 37 balls) and Tristan Stubbs (22 not out off 10 balls).

Jansen and Stubbs were explosive at the back end of the Sunrisers’ innings as they added 87 runs off the final 28 deliveries.
The Royals’ bowling unit had no answer to the attack as they conceded a flurry of extras during this period with Lungi Ngidi’s final over lasting 11 deliveries.

The home team’s run chase was always going to be dependent on the start provided by their English opening pair of Jos Buttler and Jason Roy.

They went on the attack from the outset but could not sustain the challenge after Roy was caught and bowled by his compatriot Liam Dawson for 32 off 23 balls.

It was too much for Buttler to do on his own, and although he tried valiantly with 64 off 54 balls, the Royals eventually limped to 164/7.

Jansen enjoyed a good night with the ball too claiming 2/34 to go with his half-century earlier.

There were also two wickets apiece for Liam Dawson (2/27) and Beyers Swanepoel (2/37), while the competition’s leading wicket-taker Daniel Worrall (1/27) extended his tally to 14.
 
Durban's Super Giants finished their innings at 203/6 against Joburg Super Kings. Wiaan Mulder and JJ Smuts scored half centuries with scores of 59 and 55 respectively. Lizaad Williams took 3 wickets for Super Kings.
 
Mohammad Rizwan tortured Rilee Rossouw so much that he's totally lost his form. According to sources, Rizwan did it on the orders of Misbah.
 
The most hated tournament as far as Pakistanis are concerned drawing to a close...

GFcHV8dWwAE7RsA
 
SUNRISERS FINISH TOP OF BETWAY SA20 LOG TO COMPLETE PERFECT FAREWELL TO ST GEORGE'S PARK

Defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape completed a five-wicket win and the double over the Paarl Royals to secure top spot after the Betway SA20 Season 2 round-robin stages came to thrilling conclusion at St George's Park on Sunday evening.

The Sunrisers' gave their passionate supporters the perfect farewell gift ahead of their Qualifier 1 against Durban's Super Giants at Newlands on Tuesday.

Royals captain David Miller finally won his first toss of the season and opted to bat first with his team posting a competitive 159/7.

Jos Buttler (38), Dane Vilas (34) and Wihan Lubbe (27) all made worthwhile contributions, while Ottniel Baartman (2/33) finished with the best figures for the Sunrisers.

Sunrisers' suffered a blow ahead of the match with leading batter Tom Abell ruled out through injury, but this allowed for the return of Proteas Test and ODI captain Temba Bavuma to the starting XI.

Bavuma had not played any white-ball cricket since the Proteas’ ICC World Cup semi-finals defeat to Australia in Kolkata last November due to injury.

Bavuma took on the responsibility of guiding the Sunrisers' run chase as the home team lost wickets at regular intervals during the run chase.

Unfortunately Bavuma could not take the Sunrisers all the way over the line when he held out in the last over for 33 off 30 balls, but Patrick Kruger ensured the Sunrisers’ “12th man” would leave St George's Park with smiles as he struck Royals rookie Nqabayomzi Peter, who was entrusted with the final over on his Betway SA20 debut, for six off the penultimate delivery of the innings.

The Royals, therefore, finished in third place on the table and will head to the Wanderers to face the fourth-placed Joburg Super Kings in the Eliminator on Wednesday, 7 February.

The Sunrisers' and second placed Durban's Super Giants will lock horns in Qualifier 1 at Newlands on Tuesday, 6 February.
 
MenInG said:
The most hated tournament as far as Pakistanis are concerned drawing to a close...

GFcHV8dWwAE7RsA
Click to expand...
I dont think anyone hates in Pakistan, i think no one is even aware in Pakistan that this tournament is happening. And i personally as a Pakistani support this tournament as it will help South African cricket financially. I am also thankful to them for banning greedy pakistani players from selection. Win-win in my book.
 
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