All systems go for T20 competition
HIGHVELD LIONS
The Lions have a reasonably well-balanced team, although their main strength is in the bowling department. There is pace a plenty from Kagiso Rabada, Hardus Viljoen, Beuran Hendricks and Craig Alexander, while the spin options from skipper Aaron Phangiso and Bjorn Fortuin lend further variety. The Lions will back themselves to defend any total. The big question is: can their batsmen deliver? On paper there is plenty of potential; Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Mangaliso Mosehle and Nicky van den Bergh are explosive players and the two all-rounders Wiaan Mulder and Dwaine Pretorius add depth. What will be important, even in the fickle format that is T20 cricket, is consistency. Achieve that and the Lions are genuine contenders for the title. X-Men Rassie Van der Dussen He has refined his game in the last few seasons and tightened his defence. Getting the balance between his natural attacking flair and anchoring the innings will be vital for the Lions to achieve big totals.
Dwaine Pretorius One of the most consistent performers on the domestic scene, he’s rightly been recognised at international level. Now an experienced campaigner, his all-round skills are crucial in providing the team with balance.
CAPE COBRAS
After years of dominating the domestic landscape, and in particularly this competition, the Cape Cobras are admittedly going through a “rebuilding” phase after the departure of a host of senior players. Coach Ashwell Prince, though, is a fiercely competitive character and will not hide behind any such terminology, and will always look to find a way to be successful with the resources at his disposal. Fortunately, for Prince and the Cobras, the talent bucket is overflowing for this T20 Challenge due to the availability of all the Proteas and some key Kolpak additions. Whereas Prince relied on a youthful and inexperienced batting unit in the Sunfoil Series, the Cobras can now call on superstars like Hashim Amla, Richard Levi, JP Duminy and Temba Bavuma to provide the firepower in the shortened format. The return from injury of all-rounders Vernon Philander, Wayne Parnell and Rory Kleinveldt will also add a great deal of balance to the squad. Prince, though, remains committed to giving his entire squad an opportunity of proving themselves, which means young left-arm spinner George Linde will be preferred to regular captain Dane Piedt while the experienced Qaasim Adams will be trialled behind the stumps to add some chutzpah to the middle-order. X-Men
Dane Paterson The 28-year-old seamer will want – possibly need – to show what he has learnt during the last year playing international cricket. The Cobras will rely on him to strike with the new ball before returning to showcase his renowned death-bowling skills.
Temba Bavuma The T20 Challenge provides the perfect platform for the little man from Langa to prove that he should not be boxed in as a “one-format” player. He will also add a great deal of athleticism to the Cobras fielding unit, so be sure to look for some electrifying stops and run outs.
WARRIORS
Last season’s runners-up will want once again come out swinging from their corner. Under coach Malibongwe Maketa, they will continue to box clever with some interesting bowling options, and also shuffle around their batting line-up on occasion to surprise their opposition. They do have some experienced T20 players, especially in the batting department, where a great reliance will be placed on left-hander Colin Ingram. Equally, fellow Kolpak player Colin Ackermann has a big role to play, although that could mean Simon Harmer may be relegated to the bench.
Although other teams have stayed clear of signing overseas internationals and the Warriors do have an issue surrounding the amount of Kolpak players in their squad, they could benefit significantly from signing a quality “pro” to enhance the “X-factor” in their squad. X-Men
Jon-Jon Smuts The leading run-scorer in last season’s competition with 371 runs at 41.22, at a blistering strike-rate of 144.34, clearly indicates that Smuts is the Warriors’ “gun” player. His runs will be crucial to the Warriors having any chance of replicating last season’s success, that not only propelled them to the final but also earned the 29-year-old six T20 international caps over the last year. His useful left-arm spin also claimed nine wickets last season. Sisanda Magala Blessed with a strapping physique for a fast-medium bowler, Magala delivers a heavy ball. This helps particularly during the death overs where he routinely operates. Armed with a good yorker and a deceptive slower ball, the 26-year-old does have all the skills to keep batsmen at bay at the crucial end of an innings. Having played a few seasons of franchise cricket now too, and a couple of South Africa A matches, he does have the experience for the big occasion.
KNIGHTS
The defending Sunfoil Series champions had a T20 campaign to forget last season, as they ended the competition in last place. They will be looking to make a marked improvement on that showing, especially given their strong batting line-up. Duanne Olivier, their spearhead with the ball, was sorely missed for much of the first round of the four-day competition, and he will be back to provide much-needed control and strike power.
Young skipper Theunis de Bruyn continues to grow in his role in Bloemfontein, and he knows only too well that runs in the middle will make his life easier. Rudi Second is in searing form this season already, and the Knights will want even more of the same from the hard-hitting right hander. The Knights’ attack has looked a bit light in their four-day endeavours, and that will be a massive concern for coach Nicky Boje. If they are to improve on last season’s disastrous T20 showing, the men from Bloem will have to be able to shore up the runs, and give their powerful middle-order a fighting chance. X-Men
David Miller The Proteas’ sledge-hammer is coming in hot, having made a blitzkrieg century against Bangladesh recently, demonstrating the power that is so feared in his game. If Miller can get going, the Knights know that no game is truly out of reach, because he can clear any boundary. He has settled in well at his adopted home, and wants nothing more than another trophy in the cabinet.
Ryan McLaren With experience, dependability and perhaps a point to prove, McLaren is a very handy man for the Knights to have in the sheds. The former Proteas all-rounder made a name for himself bowling at the death on the county scene, and that skill will be vital to the cause in Bloemfontein. He can certainly bat, too.
TITANS
Undoubtedly the favourites – they could pick two teams and both would qualify for the semi-finals, such is the depth of talent within the franchise which is enhanced by the availability of a host of Proteas. Any team with AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock in the batting line-up will be feared and then there’s Aiden Markram, Henry Davids, Heinrich Klaasen, Albie Morkel, David Wiese and Farhaan Behardien. The bowling reserves are endless too; Dale Steyn, Lungi Ngidi, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Malusi Siboto and Junior Dala. Oh, and Shaun von Berg and Tabraiz Shamsi are ace spinners. There are no weaknesses here and the only trouble could be achieving cohesion as the competition unfolds. Does coach Mark Boucher stick with a small group to get him through the competition, or will there be endless rotation and tinkering? Anyway you look at it, it’s a nice problem to have. X-Men Quinton de Kock A special player who in the blink of an eye can rip a game away from the opposition. Still plays with a delightful carefree spirit. He puts bums in seats. Tabraiz Shamsi Hasn’t played enough this season owing to injury, but is always a threat in the T20 format, with his variety. A great counter balance to all that pace in the Titans attack.
DOLPHINS
The Durban outfit has made a habit of bolting out of the starting blocks in the round-robin stages, before limping out at the business end of domestic competitions. That habit is one they are determined to kick, as they seek much-needed silverware at Kingsmead.
Coach Grant Morgan has challenged his core of experience to step up and deliver stronger performances, because the Dolphins definitely are not short of know-how.
Vaughn van Jaarsveld has been hitting the ball as cleanly as anyone in South Africa, but he is currently out with a back injury. That is a big blow.
Cody Chetty and Sarel Erwee contributed heavily in the Sunfoil Series, while Dane Vilas showed encouraging form just before the change of format.
With the ball, Andile Phehlukwayo, Robbie Frylinck and spin twins Imran Tahir and Keshav Maharaj are all vital components. The fielding will also have to improve if the Durbanites are to be a factor in the competition.
Also, they will be desperate for the weather to not derail their home games. X-Men Cody Chetty The rubber-wristed righthander scores in unusual areas, and seems to have gathered his thoughts and focussed on having a big season this term.
He has made a great start to the season, and has been a regular contributor for the Dolphins in white-ball cricket. This may be his season to take centre stage.
Robbie Frylinck His recent cap for the Proteas was fully deserved, and the Dolphins will look to Frylinck to be the talisman, especially with his bag of tricks in the “death overs”. Never shirks from pressure, and his cavalier batting remains a threat down the order, alongside the likes of Maharaj and Phehlukwayo.