Wade boosts Super Kings, David adds firepower for MI Cape Town
THE SA20 took another forward step yesterday with high-profile Australian internationals Matthew Wade and Tim David joining the exciting competition.
Wade, a former T20 World Cup winner, having played a major role in the Aussies lifting the coveted trophy in the United Arab Emirates in 2021, joins the Joburg Super Kings for the second half of the tournament as a replacement for Alzarri Joseph. The West Indies paceman has left the Super Kings to join his national team for their twoTest tour of Zimbabwe.
The Super Kings have not had a permanent gloveman, with the Wanderers-based side initially opting for Proteas Test wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne, before reverting to parttimer Donovan Ferreira behind the stumps. Wade, however, will add a significant amount of beef to the Joburg Super Kings’ batting unit too, particularly at the top of the order, where he excelled for Indian Premier League champions Gujarat Titans earlier this year.
Meanwhile, David will add much-needed firepower to the MI Cape Town middle-order. The Newlands-based side have severely missed England international Liam Livingstone’s ability to clear the ropes after he was ruled out through injury prior to the tournament.
David, who was born in Singapore but qualifies to play for Australia, having moved to Perth when he was a toddler, is fresh off a successful Big Bash League season back home. He will be joined by Henry Brookes after the England seamer replaced countryman Olly Stone at MI Cape Town.
Stone is currently part of the England ODI squad doing battle with the Proteas, before joining Ben Stokes’ Test squad in New Zealand.
Durban’s Super Giants will be hoping for a fresh impetus from their new squad additions, David Willey and Ben McDermott. Lance Klusener’s team are rooted to the bottom of the table, and face a mustwin game against MI Cape Town at Kingsmead tomorrow, when the SA20 resumes after the international week-long break.
Willey and McDermott, who is the son of former Australian seamer Craig, replace West Indian duo Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers. The Caribbean pair are also required for Test duty in Zimbabwe, along with the Super Kings’ Joseph.
The Pretoria Capitals lead the SA20 table with 23 points, and are virtually assured of a semi-final place. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Paarl Royals are locked on 17 points, but have played one game more.
The rest of the table comprises Joburg Super Kings (16), MI Cape Town (13) and Durban’s Super Giants (8).