How you can help promote SA Cricket

By Khalid Mohidin

Hey, guys! Welcome to another issue of Cricket Fanatics Magazine, the first and only fan-driven Cricket publication in South Africa.

This is a very special announcement that I believe will change the way cricket is supported in South Africa.

We started this venture on 1 July 2019 with a vision to get fans from all walks of life engaged with the game and give them access to the personalities in South African Cricket.

We want to tell the untold stories of South African cricket and we want fans to be heard.

Since we started, we covered the Mzansi Super League, Women’s Super League, Proteas Men and Women International Test, ODI and T20I series, as well as school and club cricket, with the aim of providing entertaining, engaging and educational content.

But haven't stopped there.

We started a Monthly Magazine where we provide multi-media content, including exclusive features, opinion pieces and analysis.

This works hand-in-hand with our YouTube channel where we produce unique cricket shows that allow fans to call in and have their say. 

We have the Daily Show, which reveals all the major talking points in South African cricket, the Sunday Podcast Show where we sit back, relax and engage with the live chat, answering all the questions fans have about us and the game.

We have Off-Side Maidens, the first ever All-Women’s Cricket Show on YouTube, which helps empower women in cricket and gives them a place to share their own views on not only women’s cricket but all cricket.

We have a Legends show, where we interview all legends in cricket.

To produce all of this, we’ve invested a lot of money, time and effort to bring this to you for free.

But to keep this going we need your help.

So we have opened a Patreon account.

In the past, the super-rich supported the work of artists as patrons of the art.

Today, we are fortunate that technology has enabled anyone to become a patron of creative work, even if they are not billionaires.

We have therefore launched a campaign for you as a Cricket Fan to become a patron and support us as an independent, bootstrapped publisher.

As a Patron, you also get your voice heard as a Fan.

Plus: You have the opportunity to become more engaged with the content we produce.

Every month we produce at least:

• 60 Website Articles
• 20 Daily Video Shows
• 4 Weekly Podcasts
• Match Previews
• Match Reviews
• Video Interviews
• And more…

So please join our Patreon today initiative today. Even a tiny amount can make a big difference.

Tristan Stubbs needs to stay grounded ahead of inaugural SA20

By Marc Jacobson

Tristan Stubbs became a headliner after the inaugural SA20 auction last September, having been the highest-sold player by a mile and going for a huge R9.2-million to the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, which happens to be his home region.

Stubbs, who was schooled at Grey High in Gqeberha, plays for the Gqeberha-based Warriors, for whom he broke onto the scene and is becoming a blistering future prospect.

The 22-year-old first came to the fore when, at the conclusion of the 2021 CSA T20 Challenge, he’d amassed a stellar strike-rate of 183.12 at a massive average of 48.83.

He then showed signs of international quality when the Proteas toured England in July last year. During the third and final T20I decider, SA was chasing a mammoth target of 235 and was perilously on 86-4 at the halfway mark.

On came Stubbs, who showed stern composure and nerves of steel, to smash a scintillating 28-ball 72 in the second half of their chase. SA ended up losing, but Stubbs had shown right then what he was capable of at the highest level.

As a result of his simmering potential, the exciting youngster had been a much sought-after player ahead of the SA20, coming up against all of South Africa’s best talent, as well as renowned overseas players with rich international experience.

“I’m very fortunate for that to have happened. I’m very thankful,” Stubbs said of his high purchasing ahead of the SA20.

It must be admitted, though, that Stubbs shouldn’t allow his hefty price tag to weigh him down. When certain players – especially young, more inexperienced players – are placed on a pedestal too soon, it can do more harm than good in terms of their on-field performances.

After earning his call-up to the Proteas outfit for the T20 World Cup in November – which took place after the auction – Stubbs seemed evidently rattled and hadn’t performed to his usual standards.

Granted, the Proteas as a whole seemed rather off for the most part at the World Cup, but Stubbs failed to soar on the biggest T20 platform in the world. SA disappointingly exited the tournament after suffering a shock loss to the Netherlands, but that won’t be divulged.

What will be touched on was Stubbs’ contributions during that campaign. He scored just 7 against Bangladesh, 6 against India and 18 against Pakistan. Stubbs was then left out of that final slump against Netherlands, perhaps due to his stagnating form at the time.

He didn’t quite live up to the hype during the world showpiece, during which the likes of old heads such as David Miller, Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw had fired at crucial times, despite the side’s unsuccessful attempt at breaking their ICC-tournament duck.

“I’ve taken a few lessons [from the World Cup]; just about cricket in general,” Stubbs said of his maiden World Cup experience.

“I’m looking to bring them into my game going forward. I’ve learnt how to play in different situations and how to handle them.”

Stubbs, who said he has been playing cricket since he “was around three”, is revelling in the prospect of “playing in front of a full St. Georges crowd” at the SA20.

The youngster, who is a man of very few words, is sure to do his talking on the field. He has proved himself, for the world to see. A single World Cup experience won’t define him, and a tumultuous happening can only mould a player of his age and stature going forward.

As he rightly said, he knows of the lessons and toils he faced at the World Cup and he knows – deep down – how to implement them into his game as he develops into a seasoned regular.

Although Stubbs had perhaps shown signs of buckling under a cloud of expectations late last year, Sunrisers EC assistant coach, Baakier Abrahams, believes it shouldn’t factor into his personal performances in the SA20.

“The price tag won’t really make too much of a difference, to be honest,” Abrahams told Cricket Fanatics Magazine. “Deep down I actually think the players who were bought initially, that were undisclosed, I think we might find that there was money spent that went way past what Tristan went for.

“I think for us, and for Tristan himself, he will always want the team to do well – whether that means he does well or not – he’s that type of person. [He’s] very humble, believes in the power of the collective and always puts the team first, before anything else,” he said, adding that the pressures that may come with his price “shouldn’t be an issue”.

“I’ve actually enjoyed the mindset Tristan has had coming into this tournament. It’s no different from what I’ve seen in the last two years. He’s still a young, fun 22-year-old, who loves batting and who is a student of the game.

“He’s tactically very mature for a 22-year-old. I’m excited for him just like I am for the rest of the squad. We have phenomenal players, led obviously by Aiden Markram, so in that sense, we’re pretty much in a good place. It’s exciting.”

The tournament should be exciting, and so too should Stubbs, who’ll undoubtedly remain levelled by experienced campaigners like Markram and other internationally-capped players such as Sarel Erwee, Marco Jansen, Sisanda Magala, JJ Smuts and Roelof van der Merwe.

“These are all professional cricketers, so the priority is to create an environment and structure that supports that. A lot of them know what they need to do to make a performance for the team.

“It’s about creating the right environment that allows them to play their best cricket. From there it’s just to support the local knowledge that they do have and how that complements their own game plans and skill-sets.”

Abrahams suggested that this inaugural league may springboard much of SA’s young talent in particular, especially the likes of Stubbs, who, despite what he has already delivered, is still a budding player.

“They can use the platform to showcase their skills to make performances for their team and to show what they’re about. It’s a great opportunity for supporters to offer these players the opportunity to grow and learn, and use it as a stepping stone in making their careers a success.”

He added however that this one tournament won’t define Stubbs’ career or what sort of player he is. But he did note that it is an “exciting” opportunity for him to step up to the plate. What is common knowledge is that Stubbs is surely a player to watch, for many reasons.

Dolphins head coach endorses promising SA20

By Abhai Sawkar

It’s the beginning of a new year, and a new competition is set to debut in a matter of days. The freshly launched SA20 will be the new flagship T20 league in South Africa.

Having superseded the Global League and the Mzansi Super League, both of which fell through, the SA20 will be under more scrutiny. After all, a key ODI series against Australia was scrapped in order to accommodate this tournament.

While it has brought about mixed reviews, the SA20 has assembled many of the best T20 cricketers from around the country as well as a handful of promising and experienced overseas stars, too.

Dolphins head coach Imraan Khan expressed his appreciation for how well the auction went, and how the six teams stack up as of now.

“It looked like a terrific event,” said Khan to Cricket Fanatics Magazine.

“Teams knew what they were looking for, from a selection and balance perspective. The bidding for players adds great intrigue and suspense to the event, and it certainly was fascinating to watch it unfold.”

Whenever a new competition is unveiled, there’s always some element of excitement. But that excitement becomes palpable when the IPL team owners successfully acquire the newly created teams.

The IPL has established a track record of strong talent scouting, an electric atmosphere, and a high-quality, high-octane brand of cricket with the best T20 players from around the globe.

“It’s massive. The IPL is the premier T20 league in the world, so to have these owners invest in South African cricket is huge. There’s no doubt that the SA20 product will be a success and in the long term, it will benefit the game here.”

Though the SA20 is still at its proof-of-concept phase, there lies a bright future ahead. Making sure there’s a well-rounded mix of young and seasoned Proteas as well as domestic players will be key, as the uncapped contingent will have a rewarding experience sharing a dressing room with some of the best in the business.

Additionally, the ticket pricing is affordable, so the spectator turnout will be healthy.

“The short-term upside of the SA20 is definitely the exposure of local talent to world-class coaching setups, and the interaction with overseas pros. The learnings will be immense and very beneficial for the local players. And it will reinvigorate the public interest in the game. Hopefully, this will create a great atmosphere around the cricketing venue throughout the country.”

Prior to the launch of the SA20, Cricket South Africa had incurred a loss during the 2 seasons of the MSL that transpired. So this event is effectively serving as a potential financial safety net, and any profits will be very vital with regards to further growing the game by making it more accessible and inclusive.

“In the long run, the financial benefits obviously will be massive for the game across the pipeline within CSA’s structures. And this will be very important for the continuous growth of the game in South Africa.”

With 6 teams total, the overall standard of the event is headed in the right direction, given that the quality is relatively condensed. This could be a positive omen for even better things in store for South African cricket.

Finally, there is plenty of incentive to perform, as the next T20 World Cup will be next year. Shortlisting a group of players that could go on to represent the Proteas will be important, and the top performers from this season will help provide an early blueprint.

“I’m really looking forward to competitive and exciting cricket, the emergence of new talented T20 players, and stadiums that are buzzing and filled to capacity. Hopefully this will enhance the fan experience and activities.”

SA20: Bringing a Whole New Vibe

By Ongama Gcwabe

SA20 commissioner, Graeme Smith, says one of the main objectives of the league is to revive the lost excitement and entertainment factor that was associated with the South African cricket season.

The SA20 is upon us and is promising to bring smiles and fun times to South Africans and the world at large with an entertaining brand of cricket.

The league was launched on Monday, 14th November. During the launch, ticket prices were announced and the purchasing opened for fans to book themselves seats to watch the world’s best T20 cricketers on show.

Former Proteas captain, Graeme Smith, emphasized during the launch that the league is curated for South Africans and the world at large.

“The SA20 league won’t be anything without the fans in South Africa. So today was about us interacting with the fans and releasing the tickets at an affordable price,” Smith told the media on Monday.

Cricket in South Africa has experienced tough times on and off the field over the last few seasons. This could be seen vividly as stadiums have struggled to put bums on seats in any format of domestic cricket and in some cases even in international games.

Smith vouched that the new league is here to save the game in the country by bringing entertainment along with the quality cricket that will be on show come January 2023.

“The main product will always be cricket. We’ve got some quality talent that we think will be on show in January,” said Smith.

“Another thing that we really want to bring to the season is the whole ‘new feel’ and a whole new energy to cricket. We feel the cricket has really lost that in this country and we want to try and revive that.

“We want to bring lots of entertainment, lots of music as well. Hopefully a lot of people dancing as well in the stands,” he added.

The league will commence on 10 January 2023.

Indian Influence on the SA20

By Aditya Mehta

The SA20, South Africa’s new T20 league, marks a new chapter in South African cricket history, with the inaugural season set to commence on the 10th of January, 2023.

The six teams competing for the silverware are Joburg Super Kings, MI Cape Town, Pretoria Capitals, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Durban Super Giants, and Paarl Royals.

The SA20 is Cricket South Africa’s third attempt at a T20 league, and this time, with six IPL team owners on board, it appears as if South Africa is on track to enthrall the world with a world-class T20 tournament.

David Miller, captain of the Paarl Royals, expressed confidence in the product that the SA20 will deliver to South Africa’s cricket-loving public.

“The IPL owners are involved. They have a very successful product in IPL in the last 14-15 years. The teams are very experienced in what they want and how the event should be run,” said Miller.

The involvement of IPL team owners will have significant benefits for the quality of cricket played in the SA20. They have witnessed the evolution of T20 cricket since the inception of the IPL in 2008 and will use that experience to ensure that their South African teams are in sync with the modern brand of T20 cricket.

In addition to the IPL, these owners have teams in other T20 leagues across the world. For instance, the owners of the Paarl Royals also own the Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League and the owners of MI (Mumbai Indians) Cape Town run the MI Emirates in the International League T20 in the UAE. Therefore, teams will be armed with a comprehensive understanding of how SA20 teams should play in their quest to win the tournament.

The Mumbai Indians have established a global high-performance structure that seeks to share the best practices of the Mumbai team with the Cape Town and Emirates teams.

Mahela Jayawardena has been appointed as the Global Head of Performance, while Zaheer Khan has been named the Global Head of Cricket Development. This high-performance structure will benefit the Cape Town team because Jayawardena and Khan have built a model that worked for the Mumbai Indians, and will be replicated at MI Cape Town.

Similarly, the coaching and team management structure of the Joburg Super Kings is also involved with the incredibly successful Chennai Super Kings, who have won the IPL four times. Their learnings over the last 14 years will advance the development of young players competing in a T20 tournament for the first time.

Another benefit of having Indian owners in the SA20 will be felt with respect to the identification of talent. When Marco Jansen and Dewald Brevis were picked by the Mumbai Indians for the IPL, the team management had revealed that Jansen and Brevis had been on their radar for three years before they were bought in the auction.

Similarly, Anrich Nortje was identified by IPL franchises long before he became a Proteas mainstay. IPL franchises have developed global talent identification networks over the years to ensure that top-tier talent cannot slip through the cracks.

The SA20 league provides team owners with greater access to domestic cricket talent across South Africa. Further, their presence has the potential to identify talent from townships, which have historically struggled to produce cricketers owing to the acute lack of financial resources and cricket infrastructure.

The talent that will be unearthed by SA20 franchises will have ramifications for South African cricket in all three formats. The success of the SA20 will, once again, make cricket a viable profession for children to pursue in an otherwise economically depressed environment, where players are searching for opportunities overseas.

For South Africa to maintain a high standard across all three formats, it needs a large talent pool with players that are equipped with the technical skills and mental makeup to succeed at the international level.

The presence of IPL team owners in the SA20 is likely to improve the marketing of cricket across South Africa. Marketing bilateral series and tournaments have been a significant challenge in South Africa.

In India, the IPL has been marketed effectively for over 14 years and has consistently witnessed packed stadiums and record-breaking numbers on television. The IPL final in 2022 between the Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals was played in front of 101,566 people at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

If the SA20’s marketing machine can take the tournament to all corners of South Africa, it will increase cricket viewership across all formats.

The SA20 has the potential to transform South Africa’s cricket landscape. If the “10-year investment which will sustain South African cricket,” as stated on the SA20 website, goes to plan, South Africa will be home to some of the world’s most exciting cricket. 

Q&A: Ferisco "The Iceman" Adams

By Jessica & Janine October

You hail from the streets of Robertson playing soft-ball cricket in high school, debuted for Boland in 2012, and won Rural Cricketer of the Year in 2014. How has this contributed to your journey and career in cricket?

Yes, playing softball cricket in the streets that’s actually where my journey started. It was the first time I picked up a cricket bat and cricket ball, and it helped me a lot throughout my career. It developed me into the player I am today.

So JA, street cricket was a big part of my growth and my journey. I still play street cricket but not that much these days. But whenever I get a chance, I will go back and play it.

As an all-rounder, do you think you have a bigger task to fulfil or experience more pressure?
 
As an all-rounder, I don’t think there’s more pressure, I just feel like I have to do more work fitness-wise, I have to bat and bowl, and that’s just another opportunity to practice my skills. I love being an all-rounder, it keeps me in the game the whole time, and that’s something I love doing.

How did the nickname "The Iceman" come about?

I think it came from back in the day when I was still playing with the Cobras. My captain usually gave me the ball at the back end, and a journalist wrote the next morning “The Iceman”, and his reasoning for that was I was always cool under pressure, so that’s where the nickname came from and it kind of stuck through the years until today.
 

Which Football team do you support?

Barcelona.

Top 3 hype songs on your playlist at the moment?

Thunder – Imagine Dragons
Lose yourself – Eminem
Dilemma – Nelly

Going into the upcoming SA20 League, how has participating in tournaments such as the MSL and CSA 1Day Cup helped to improve your game?

I think those tournaments helped me a lot, especially the MSL. Playing against international players gives me a sniff on how to operate especially with the SA20 coming up now. So, it’s not something new that I’m going to play against international players, but I’m looking forward to playing in the SA20 and hopefully that could be a good one for us as well.

Who will you be looking out for at the SA20 tournament? Who would you be looking to learn from, and who would you consider will be a "danger-man"?

I think especially from overseas, our international players, just to take learnings from them. To ask them questions about how it is to play international cricket. I think that could be good learning for me, especially from the batters’ point of view, and bowlers’ point of view. Also, learning from our local guys as well. The dangerman in our team, I’ve played with him, is Imraan Manack. I think especially in T20s he’s a very difficult customer to get away with, for batters to get away.

What are your expectations/performance goals ahead of the SA20 tournament?

Just to compete every time I’m playing, just to do my best, try and pick up a lot of wickets for myself, and then obviously to win a T20 as the Paarl Royals squad, first one, that would be good for us.

Whose wicket do you dream of taking? 

Definitely would have been Jos Butler, but unfortunately, he is in my team, so I’ll probably have to take his wicket in training haha. So that would be my dream wicket.

What are your thoughts on the team for the Paarl Royals?

I think we’ve got a nice balanced side; we have good international and good local guys playing there on the wicket at Boland Park. I’m looking forward to getting to know the guys and playing with the guys.

EXPECT "Fireworks" in upcoming SA20 – Dewald Brevis

Dewald Brevis was destined for greatness ever since he picked up a cricket bat before he could hardly walk.

Due to his resemblance to Proteas and Indian Premier League legend AB de Villiers, his rise to eminence grew even faster with the nickname “Baby AB” gaining traction fast.

But at just 19-years-old, and yet to even play for South Africa at the senior level, Brevis deserves his own moniker, at least according to SA comedian Joey Rasdien.

“Let’s scrap this ‘Baby nonsense’, this is the new millennial ‘DB’, Dewald Brevis, that’s your name!” Rasdien said at the recent SA20 launch.

‘DB’ has, of course, in a very short space of time captured the attention of cricket followers globally with his record-breaking feats.

The former Afrikaans Hoërskool (Affies) learner blazed through the ICC Under-19 World Cup for the SA U19 team in the Caribbean last year, where he surpassed India’s Shikhar Dhawan’s all-time record for the most runs at the tournament.

This set in motion a string of events that has seen Brevis become a much-sought after signature for T20 franchise teams around the world, including Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

The youngster has thus far lived up to his billing and recently returned home to rubber-stamp his immense potential with a record-breaking 162 off just 57 balls, which included 13 sixes and 13 fours, for the Titans in Cricket SA’s T20 Challenge.

It is such feats that has MI Cape Town followers salivating at the prospect of Brevis turning on the magic at Newlands in the upcoming SA20, but nobody is more excited than the teenager himself for the tournament’s opening game on January 10 against the Paarl Royals.

“It’s a dream come true. It has always been my dream to represent Mumbai Indians, and now MI Cape Town, and to be able to play on the big stage because the crowds are massive, and I really enjoy it,” Brevis said.

“I think this tournament is going to be amazing. All these players coming to South Africa, the cricket is going to be very strong. It is going to be very competitive. People must be ready, because there is going to be lots of fireworks, lots of boundaries, lots of wickets.”

Despite cricket’s entire stratosphere being virtually his oyster, Brevis remains humble and values the prospect of being able to tap into the intellectual capacity of senior internationals such as Rassie van der Dussen, Liam Livingstone, Kagiso Rabada, Jofra Archer and Rashid Khan.

“It’s absolutely amazing!” Brevis said. “Who better to pick their brains, and get advice from? I can’t wait to share a dressing room and a field with them.”

All 33 SA20 matches will be broadcast live exclusively on SuperSport in Sub Saharan Africa and Viacom18 Sports, India’s newest sports network, to India’s cricket-loving and passionate fanbase.

SA20 Fixtures

33 Matches across six venues countrywide

MI Cape Town to host Paarl Royals in opening match on 10 January Wanderers to host the Grand Final of the inaugural SA20

The much-anticipated SA20 blasts off with an exciting Western Cape derby between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals at Newlands Cricket Ground on Tuesday, 10 January.

The full match schedule of 33 matches to be played at six venues across the country was announced today, with only two months to go until the start of South Africa’s premier T20 League.

MI Cape Town will look to captivate the Newlands faithful with their star-studded line-up that includes Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada, Afghanistan spin maestro Rashid Khan, England’s six-hitting specialist Liam Livingstone, and South Africa’s teenage sensation, Dewald Brevis among others.

The Royals have assembled an equal galaxy of stars that is headlined by England white-ball captain Jos Buttler, along with his Lords’ 2019 World Cup-winning teammates Jason Roy and Eoin Morgan.

They will be joined by Proteas trio David Miller, Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi, who are under the guidance of former Proteas all-rounder JP Duminy as head coach.

The opening game, along with the remaining 32 matches, will all be broadcast exclusively live on SuperSport in Sub-Saharan Africa and Viacom18 Sports to India’s cricket-loving and passionate fanbase.

“Releasing fixtures for the opening season is a milestone for us all at SA20,” League Commissioner, Graeme Smith said.

“It’s all getting very real, we certainly can’t wait to watch the world’s best go head-to-head. Fans can look forward to the blockbuster schedule kicking off with the popular local derby between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals on 10 January.

“Fans will be able to watch the best local and international T20 stars live in action at prime viewing times for the afternoon and evening matches. This is also an ideal broadcasting slot ensuring viewers around the world can also keep up with the enthralling entertainment,” Smith explained.

The action is relentless with the SA20 caravan moving around the country for two weeks, with at least one game every single day until Thursday, 24 January. Each team will play five home and five away matches, with fans finally getting a taste of what the IPL-owned teams will be bringing to the local flavour.

Among these matches is five visits to St George’s Park where the Sunrisers Eastern Cape and their 12th man, the famous brass band, will ensure every visit to Gqeberha is a memorable one.

The first Highveld derby between the Joburg Super Kings and Pretoria Capitals is set for the Wanderers Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, 17 January. The JSK squad is brimmed with speed merchants Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, West Indian Alzarri Joseph and England’s George Garton who are all set to steam in at the Bullring. The Capitals will be equally up to the challenge, with Proteas speedsters Anrich Nortje and Wayne Parnell leading alongside Ireland’s Josh Little.

Everyone will be able to catch their breath for a week towards the end of January when the League takes a break for the three-match One-Day International Series between the Proteas and England. The action resumes at Kingsmead for the clash between hosts Durban’s Super Giants and MI Cape Town on Thursday, 2 February.

Lance Klusener’s men will look to make their home-ground advantage count as this will be the first of only two matches played at Kingsmead in the second half of schedule with the remainder of the games all taking place at Wanderers and SuperSport Park in Centurion due to the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup to be hosted in South Africa in February.

The grand final will be staged at the Wanderers on Saturday, 11 February, where the first- ever SA20 Champions will be crowned.

“The Wanderers has hosted many memorable finals throughout the years, we expect a full house in attendance to watch the first-ever SA20 Champions lifting the trophy.

"We are thankful to have the buy-in from all six franchises to make this season a success and we look forward to making this inaugural season of the SA20 something special for the fans!”