2023 SA20 Preview

Photo of Huynh Nguyen Huynh NguyenJanuary 2, 2023
2023 SA20 Preview

The inaugural SA20 competition begins in early 2023, the latest addition to the global franchise T20 leagues. Played in South Africa, six teams (Durban Super Giants, Joburg Super Kings, MI Cape Town, Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals, and Sunrisers Eastern Cape) will be competing for the trophy, first in a group stage, and then with the top four teams advancing through to the knockouts.

All six squads have now been named, and each franchise in the SA20 was given an equal budget to sign players at the SA20 Auction back in September. The likes of Jos Buttler (Paarl Royals), Rashid Khan (MI Cape Town), and Quinton de Kock (Durban Super Giants) were some of the biggest names available.

As of the 27th of December, the Paarl Royals are the +300 favorites with Betway in their outright market. Not only were they able to snap up one of the most explosive T20 players in the world in England’s captain Buttler, but his teammate Jason Roy joins him, while reliable South Africa international David Miller is the captain of the team.

Buttler is the only player who has made a century for the ECB in all three formats of the sport. He is a key player for many franchises in T20 cricket in India, England, and Australia.

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Eoin Morgan led England to their first Cricket World Cup success in 2019 and he has been signed to play for the Royals. The 36-year-old is now retired from international cricket, but he still plays T20 cricket in some of the leading franchise leagues around the world.

The Royals also have a formidable bowling attack that includes Obed McCoy, Lungi Ngidi, and Tabraiz Shamsi. Those three players have a lot of experience in their respective countries. They are also familiar with franchises like SA20, as they have played in the Caribbean Premier League and the IPL.

Former South Africa batsman JP Duminy is the head coach of the Paarl Royals. He played in all three formats of the game for his country and the franchise will be hoping his experience will help guide the team to success in their opening year.

Durban Super Giants Form Strong Bowling Attack

Based at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban Super Giants will be captained by de Kock. He chose to retire from Test action with Cricket South Africa in 2019 but he still plays T20 and ODI for his country.

The Super Giants have gone strong on their bowling options, with Jason Holder, Reece Topley, Dilshan Madushanka, and Dwaine Pretorius contracted to play for the franchise.

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Holder has shown he can be useful with the bat, while his West Indies teammate Kyle Mayers is a batting all-rounder. The 30-year-old scored two ODI centuries in 2022. The first came against the Netherlands, while more recently, he reached the milestone against New Zealand.

Former Afghanistan head coach Lance Klusener has been signed to coach the Durban team. He has also had spells in the Bangladesh Premier League, Abu Dhabi T10 and IPL in various coaching capacities.

MI Cape Town Has an Explosive Team

There is no shortage of explosive talent on MI Cape Town’s team for their opening season in the competition. Afghanistan star Khan has been named their captain. He is joined in their batting line-up by Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, and Dewald Brevis.

Signing up Curran may have been the best bit of business down by any franchise at the auction. He recently became the most expensive player in IPL history, as he was signed by Punjab Kings. He was named the Player of the Tournament at the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup following the final against Pakistan.

Another great signing for MI could be bowler Jofra Archer. He has been out for the majority of 2022 through injury. Before his spell on the sidelines, the England player was one of their star bowlers in Test and limited-overs cricket. As Reuters documented in their match report on the game, he was the man who bowled the super over for his country in their victory over New Zealand in the World Cup final at Lord’s in 2019.

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Sunrisers Went All Out for Tristan Stubbs

Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the battle to sign Tristan Stubbs during the auction ahead of the season. Six different franchises were involved in the bidding process for his services, and as the BBC mentioned in their report on that auction, he was the most expensive player to be sold.

Aiden Markram and Marco Jansen are established players for South Africa who will be considered leaders in their team. They are joined by English spinner Mason Crane and Kent batsman Jordan Cox.

The final of the 2023 SA20 takes place at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on February 11. That will be the 33rd and final game of the competition.

Photo of Huynh Nguyen Huynh NguyenJanuary 2, 2023
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