As the excitement for the second season of the SA20 League builds up, all six franchises have announced their preliminary squads ahead of the upcoming player auctions scheduled for September 27. The league organizers have expressed their satisfaction with the squads, which reflect a perfect blend of homegrown South African talent and seasoned international players.
Season one of the SA20 League proved to be a remarkable success, with young talents showcasing their skills on a global platform. The addition of international players further elevated the quality of the cricket played, making it a top-notch display of entertainment and competitiveness.
ALSO READ
Also See: South Africa Cricket Schedule
League Commissioner, Graeme Smith, is thrilled with the squad compositions and looks forward to another thrilling season: “Season 2 of the SA20 is shaping up to be another spectacular showcase of world-class cricket and entertainment. The quality of the players already included in the squads, including a few newcomers, is testimony to the success of the inaugural season. Our planning is on track, and we look forward to the auction and welcoming players and fans in season 2.”
For the upcoming season, each franchise has a salary purse cap of R 39.1 million, an increase of R 5.1 million from the previous season. The auctions will feature 15 picks for each team, along with the addition of a new “Rookie” player aged under 22, who has not played in SA20 before, bringing the total picks to 21 on the auction day.
Let’s take a closer look at the squads and their available purse for the auctions:
Sunrisers Eastern Cape – With a championship-winning squad at their disposal, Sunrisers Eastern Cape has retained their core players, including former ICC World No 1 T20 batter Dawid Malan, Liam Dawson, and Craig Overton. They have just three picks left and a purse of R 1.865 million.
Squad: Ottniel Baartman, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Tristan Stubbs, Sisanda Magala, Simon Harmer, Temba Bavuma, Sarel Erwee, Jordan Hermann, Aya Gqamane, Liam Dawson, Brydon Carse, Dawid Malan, Adam Rossington, Tom Abell, Craig Overton
Pretoria Capitals – The runners-up of the previous season, Pretoria Capitals, have a more significant purse of R 9.737 million, which allows them to add six more players to complete their 19-player squad. They can also include up to five overseas players.
Squad: Migael Pretorius, Anrich Nortje, Rilee Rossouw, Colin Ingram, Senuran Muthusamy, Wayne Parnell, Theunis de Bruyn, Eathan Bosch, Shane Dadswell, Corbin Bosch, Jimmy Neesham, Adil Rashid, William Jacks
Joburg Super Kings – With a remaining purse of R 6.1 million, Joburg Super Kings will be in the market for five players to strengthen their squad. The team has already bolstered its lineup with the likes of Moeen Ali, David Wiese, Sam Cook, and Zahir Khan.
Squad: Gerald Coetzee, Faf du Plessis, Reeza Hendricks, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger, Moeen Ali, David Wiese, Zahir Khan, Sam Cook, Leus du Plooy, Donovan Ferreira, Aaron Phangiso, Sibonelo Makhanya, Kyle Simmonds
Durban’s Super Giants – Durban’s Super Giants have almost completed their squad with 16 signings. They have R 1.675 million left to make up the three remaining spots.
Squad: Prenelan Subrayen, Quinton de Kock, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Abbott, Heinrich Klaasen, JJ Smuts, Wiaan Mulder, Matthew Breetzke, Junior Dala, Keemo Paul, Naveen-ul-Haq, Kyle Mayers, Reece Topley, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dilshan Madushanka
MI Cape Town – MI Cape Town has retained key players like Rashid Khan, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, and Tom Banton. They have a remaining purse of R 5.05 million.
Squad: Dewald Brevis, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Delano Potgieter, Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Beuran Hendricks, Duan Jansen, Grant Roelofsen, Jofra Archer, Rashid Khan, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Tom Banton, Olly Stone
Paarl Royals – Paarl Royals have an exciting squad that includes England’s Jos Buttler, Jason Roy, and West Indian bowler Obed McCoy. With R 8.865 million in their purse, they have room to add high-profile overseas-based players.
Squad: Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dane Vilas, Bjorn Fortuin, Mitchell Van Buuren, Wihan Lubbe, Ferisco Adams, Codi Yusuf, Evan Jones, Jos Buttler, Obed McCoy, Jason Roy
The franchises are all required to have a minimum of ten South African players, a maximum of seven international players, and an additional new rookie player who must be South African in their squads.