The business end of South Africa’s domestic 50-over competition may not have gone as planned, but indeed there was a completed league phase. So let’s recap and build the team of the tournament based on stats.
For starters, the main highlight of this year’s Momentum One Day Cup was the fact that several youngsters and relatively newer entrants to the franchise scene were in the limelight, scoring buckets of runs and as well as raking in the wickets. Without further ado, here’s the 2020 Momentum One Day Cup XI:
1) Grant Roelofsen (Dolphins) (wk) – 588 runs @ 65.33, 1 century, 5 half-centuries, best of 147*
10 catches and 6 stumpings
Opening the batting and taking the gloves in this team is the richly talented and promising 23-year-old Dolphins keeper-batsman. Long story short, he’s the find of the tournament. This is his first full season for the KwaZulu-Natal based franchise, and he’s topped the run charts. Roelofsen’s claim to fame is his adaptability coupled with his penchant to back his carefree approach at the top of the order. During a rain-affected game against the Titans, Roelofsen blitzed a 113-ball 147 (9 fours, 10 sixes) and batted through the entire innings to secure a hard-fought victory – it was definitely kind of a lone hand considering the fact that none of the other batsmen had crossed 40. Top it off with the most dismissals behind the stumps in this event. Without a doubt, he reminds us of the incumbent Proteas wicketkeeper batsman, Quinton de Kock.
2) Ryan Rickelton (Lions) – 511 runs @ 51.10, 1 century, 2 half-centuries, best of 157
Alongside Roelofsen is another bright young gun, the stylish Lions left-hander. A relatively more experienced figure in franchise cricket, Rickelton has announced himself well in 2020. He first entered the limelight during the 2018 Mzansi Super League, and since then, it’s been no looking back. The recent season might’ve had its ups and downs, but Rickelton has perked up when it matters most. During the second game for the Lions, an away match against the Cobras at Paarl, Rickelton scored an imperious 157 to prop up his side to 320, scripting a straightforward victory. He scored the third-most runs in the One Day Cup and he’s made significant progress to date.
3) Zubayr Hamza (Cape Cobras) (c) – 582 runs @ 58.20, 2 centuries, 3 half-centuries, best of 156
At first drop is one of the recent Test debutants for the Proteas, Zubayr Hamza. Since he’s the newly appointed skipper for the Cape Cobras, he can take charge of this side as well. Sometimes he might be billed as a more reliable performer in the longer format, but he’s put to rest any doubts about his abilities in 50-over cricket – as a matter of fact, he’s the second-highest run scorer in the Momentum One Day Cup and he’s been striking at just a shade under 100. Known to be a steady accumulator, Hamza has unveiled some great aggressive strokeplay throughout the Cup. A solid, doughty 129 against the Dolphins helped register an important away win. Two games later, a tremendous 156 against the Lions while the middle-order collapsed, drove the Cobras to a competitive total. He may have struggled in Test cricket, but the talent and potential are both apparent.
4) Tony de Zorzi (Titans) – 479 runs @ 47.90, 1 century, 3 half-centuries, best of 137
Now some of us might remember that he led the Proteas during the U19 World Cup four years ago. Since then, he’s worked hard to establish himself as a regular at top-level domestic cricket. It’s fair to say that the 22-year-old has done so with aplomb this season – on most occasions he has anchored the innings well at the top of the order for the Titans. His best outing might have unfortunately occurred in an unfavorable cause, but that doesn’t make it any less of an accomplishment. With the current Proteas team in transition phase, it’s on the young players to step up to the plate and make full use of opportunities at hand. De Zorzi came close to a second ton (also against the Warriors), but opening with a stately 98 won the chase for the Titans. Finally, he’ll switch over to the Cobras for the upcoming 2020-21 season – he’s one to look out for.
5) Dean Elgar (Titans) – 399 runs @ 57, 1 century, 3 half-centuries, best of 108*
We’ve got a brilliant and youthful top-order, and now here comes a trusted experienced campaigner. Dean Elgar has been a sturdy member of the Test side for a little over seven years, and in addition, he’s often been considered a Test specialist due to his ability to dig in and play long, patient knocks. However, his skillset in the shorter formats aren’t to be underestimated – not only did he perform in the MSL, he’s been an unrelenting feature of the Titans middle order in 50-over cricket for multiple seasons. Striking in the 90s and accelerating when required, Elgar has well exhibited his capabilities. He may not have taken wickets with his part-time left-arm spin, but it’s a handy secondary skill. While his team didn’t have a good tournament overall, he’s been one of the many positives.
6) Jacques Snyman (Knights) – 298 runs @ 42.57, 1 century, 1 half-century, best of 124
2 wickets @ 66, economy rate of 4.25
This is the all-rounder’s first full season for the Knights, and he’s set the scene ablaze with his free-wheeling, jaunty strokeplay at the top of the order. He might be a little further down in the run charts, but more importantly, the impact is what matters. His strike rate this tournament was a jaw-dropping 152, and his offspin often provided stability. The 2019-20 season has been a great sequence of events, from the Africa T20 Cup, to getting a first MSL game, to playing for a CSA Invitational XI against England, to finally doing wonders in the One Day Cup. He’s been highly rated by many and touted for a great future ahead, and so far, it’s all going as planned. Snyman will add the much-needed balance to this XI.
7) Delano Potgieter (Lions) – 288 runs @ 36
2 wickets @ 91.50, economy rate of 5.22
Considering the fact that much of the rest of this team has been chosen based on the fact that they’re in the upper echelon in the runs and wickets charts, the young all-rounder from Gauteng might be a bit of an outside choice. But here’s the reasoning – at times you have to recognize the standout all-round talent, plus all-rounders can win you games since they can excel at more than one skill. Potgieter’s bowling returns may not stand out, but the middle-order batting has been a humdinger. During the 2018-19 season, Potgieter’s first-class debut for the Lions was one for the records – a scintillating century and a 4-wicket haul. Thereafter, he earned a new contract for this season, and has taken confident strides in his development. With Wiaan Mulder looking to stay injury-free, the onus was on Potgieter as the first-choice all-rounder. For a first-timer in the franchise circuit, it’s not a bad start at all. More consistent performances will put him in striking distance for higher honors. Potgieter will be the third seam option for this XI.
8) Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins) – 17 wickets in 7 games @ 14.68, economy rate of 3.79
107 runs @ 53.50
South Africa’s premier spinner in Test cricket not only enjoyed a prosperous Momentum One Day Cup, but that also catapulted him back into ODI plans since mid-2018. Keshav Maharaj impressively bowled tight spells game after game, and here’s an interesting stats tidbit – among the top five wicket takers of this year’s edition, he has the best average. Furthermore, his lower-order batting has been instrumental during trickier situations. A well-compiled unbeaten half-century against the Cobras on a difficult Newlands track as well as a stoic 43 to prevent a collapse against the Knights have both set up defendable totals. In the recently completed ODI series against Australia, Maharaj fared reasonably well as a containing bowler. He’s part of the national central contract list for the next season, so it shouldn’t be a surprise if he’s getting more frequent game time across formats.
9) Shaun von Berg (Knights) – 18 wickets in 9 games @ 19.88, economy of 4.50
The second spinner in this special team, Shaun von Berg is a seasoned legspinner who has established a reputation as a diligent and consistent domestic player. This time around, he’s taken the joint-most wickets. Von Berg has played for the Titans for a decade and this was his first season for his new franchise, and it couldn’t be better. In the final group stage game, von Berg took a masterful 5-wicket haul to skittle out the Titans below 150. In addition, he’s often kept a lid on the opposition’s run rate. Selectors have hinted that they’re looking to explore their options when it comes to finding spinners, and he’s done well to throw his hat in the ring. Two years ago he was called up for a Test series in Sri Lanka but went gameless, and that was after playing close to 100 first-class matches. He might be 33, but he has game-changing ability and a wealth of experience to go with it.
10) Thando Ntini (Cape Cobras) – 14 wickets in 9 games @ 28.28, economy rate of 5.53
As the saying goes, like father, like son. Teenage fast bowler Thando Ntini has the pace just like his father Makhaya, and in his rookie season for the Cobras, he’s created quite a splash. To add some perspective, he’s made his provincial debut a little over a year ago, and his rapid development took him to the franchise level the very next season. While he might’ve had a couple of expensive spells, 4-wicket hauls against the Warriors and the Lions have made him a strong candidate in domestic cricket. Plus he is more than capable of contributing down the order with the bat. Finally, he’ll relocate to the Titans for the 2020-21 season, and it’s very likely he’ll be in the team scheme across all formats. He may not have featured in the MSL last year despite being part of the Paarl Rocks, but it’s certain that we’ll only be seeing more and more of him at center stage.
11) Mbulelo Budaza (Knights) – 18 wickets in 8 games @ 16.27, economy rate of 4.71
The tall, well-built left-arm speedster was the pick of the bowlers, tied for most wickets in the tournament. His career has been kept in check from time to time due to injury, but the purple patch in the Momentum One Day Cup likely forebodes much better times in store. Budaza has bowled with pace and accuracy with the new ball throughout the tournament and has received a fitting reward. A 4-wicket haul against the Lions followed up with a 5-wicket haul in the very next game against the Titans underscores his limitless potential. Known to be a sound all-format bowler, Budaza will be yet another young gun to watch out for. The 26-year-old has been a key contributor for his side over the years, and he’s approaching the cusp of his career.
12th man:
11 players of great caliber have made it to the 2020 Momentum One Day Cup XI. But we’re not done yet, since there’s one more player, in honorable mention:
Sisanda Magala (Warriors) – 13 wickets in 8 games @ 30.69, economy of 5.97
We’ve seen his death-bowling skills in the MSL as well as his favorable returns especially in the latter half of the One Day Cup. Sisanda Magala was called up for the ODIs and T20Is against England, subject to fitness clearance. Unfortunately, he couldn’t pass the fitness test and therefore, wasn’t considered match-ready. But it’s time to address the bigger picture, which is the fact that he has been assiduous in improving his fitness as well as putting his best foot forward to re-enter the national scene. The long-standing debate continues to rage on from time to time, but let’s get back to business. In the final league game for the Warriors, Magala bagged a domineering 6-wicket haul against the Cobras. He often had to bowl towards the end of the innings, and as a result, his economy rate may appear to be relatively higher. But it all boils down to context.
Starting from a destructive opening duo to a rigid middle-order bulwark and finally a potent bowling attack, we can confidently say that this team with a well-balanced amalgamation of youth and experience is the real deal.
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