Durban to turn up the Heat in MSL
Hashim Amla is excited about the Durban Heat’s opener against Cape Town Blitz at Kingsmead on Sunday, writes Mervyn Naidoo
AFTER all the hype and anticipation, South Africa’s own T20 competition, the Mzansi Super League (MSL), will blast off in Cape Town on Friday (7pm) with the Cape Town Blitz franchise playing the Tshwane Spartans in Newlands.
The cricket jamboree will move to Kingsmead two days later when the Durban Heat hosts the Blitz in an 11am fixture.
Glaringly obvious, however, is the sprinkling of overseas players who will feature in the first edition of this six-team tournament.
But Proteas cricketer, Hashim Amla, believes the competition has the potential to bloom into something special. Amla said it would be unfair to compare the MSL with the Indian Premier League (IPL) or Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
“It’s different. It’s here in South Africa. Let’s give it time to develop and stamp its presence on world cricket.
“We shouldn’t have preconceived expectations,” he said.
The top order batsman said he was unable to answer why it had taken so long for South Africa to have its own T20 competition, but that was water under the bridge.
“The IPL started 10 years ago and is well established. But we have great facilities and a talented pool of players. “ There might be teething problems in the initial stages but all that is likely to be smoothed out. We must just let it flow.
“Let’s be honest, South Africa is a great place to visit and play cricket. It has many attractions.”
About Sunday’s opener against the Blitz, Amla said he was eager to play after being sidelined recently with a hand injury. “I’m feeling positive about Sunday’s game.”
Amla was also upbeat about the squad the Heat had assembled, which contained a blend of experience and youth.
“At tournaments like these, there are always youngsters who stand out, and I’m expecting the same from this team.”
He is also excited about teaming up with Albie Morkel, who is regarded as one of the world’s leading exponents of T20 cricket.
Morkel was announced as the Durban Heat’s captain earlier this week.
“I haven’t played with him for a while. We go back to the days of playing academy cricket in the early 2000s. He is very experienced and is respected worldwide as a cricketer,” said Amla.
Morkel said he also relished the opportunity to be in the same team as Amla, who he believes is a “superstar”.
Morkel said it was out of the ordinary for him to be based in Durban.
“It’s a nice challenge to have after playing out of Pretoria for over 15 years.
“It is a massive privilege for me to captain the team.”
Morkel said the MSL had all the attributes to become a strong league.
Grant Morgan, the Heat’s coach, said selecting Morkel as captain made best sense. “We have many leaders in the squad and he was the standout one to lead with distinction.
“He’s won many trophies with the Titans and Chennai Super Kings (IPL). When Albie speaks people listen.”
Morgan said their overseas import, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, was due to join the team for the last four matches, in the round-robin stage of the competition.
“Not having Khan early on in the competition was something we already factored in when we chose our squad.
“When he joins us, he will come in as a mystery player. He brings experience, spin bowling and big hitting to the squad. Hopefully, we can kick on into the final from there,” said Morgan.
In preparing for Sunday, Morgan said he had a squad of 13 players and was awaiting the return of the Heat’s Proteas who were currently doing duty in Australia.
“I’m pleased with how our preparations have gone thus far. We will field our strongest possible 11 on Sunday,” Morgan promised.