Day by day, cricket is becoming a more and more global game. And now, the United States is set to host the Major League T20 event in mid-July.

The draft in Houston saw a number of high-profile players from around the world get recruited by the six franchises, three of which have the same names as their parent IPL teams.

Let’s recap the draft and discuss the South African contingent in this upcoming tournament.

Anrich Nortje

The Proteas express pacer, who’s an all-format regular, is set to play for the Washington Freedom. He was one of six marquee overseas pros that were snapped up. Known to be a threat at any phase of the innings, Nortje will bring the heat to the States this summer.

Quinton de Kock

A household name in the T20 circuit, the hard-hitting left-hander will feature for the Seattle Orcas. After retiring from Test cricket, he has attracted interest from T20 tournaments around the world. He can pack a punch at the top of the order, clear boundaries at will, and has safe hands behind the stumps. Interestingly enough, he enjoyed baseball during his childhood, before he took up cricket.

Andries Gous

One of many South Africans now based in the US, the solid right-handed was among the earliest picks in the draft for the Washington Freedom. Some may recognize him as the Knights wicketkeeper for several seasons, but more recently, he has played plenty of club cricket in Seattle. Gous is now on track for qualification for Team USA, and here comes an opportunity to further boost his stocks.

Rusty Theron

The erstwhile SA right-arm quick also played a handful of ODIs and T20Is for Team USA upon qualification. At 37, he’s gradually approaching the twilight of his professional career, but his level of vast experience will be more than handy at this level for the Texas Super Kings. In addition, this is another shot at potentially reentering the national setup.

Calvin Savage

Having relocated from Durban to Chicago, the former Dolphins seam-bowling allrounder will also be playing for the Texas Super Kings. While his T20 opportunities were few and far between in the South African domestic circuit, Savage has been a force with both bat and ball in his 11-year professional career, from national U19 level to franchise cricket.

Obus Pienaar

Another former Proteas U19 allrounder, Pienaar got recruited in the third round by the Washington Freedom. He’s been a frequent feature for the Knights for most of his career, but he faced stiff competition. Primarily a batter, he ended up switching out left arm pace for left arm spin. He’s enjoying his cricket after relocating to the States, and his dreams of an international cap could come to fruition on the back of strong returns in the Major League.

Carmi le Roux

The 29-year-old former Lions left-arm pacer is now in the Bay Area, and will be playing for the San Francisco Unicorns. For a handful of seasons, le Roux was a sometime feature at provincial level for Gauteng, as well as for the Lions. More recently, he played in the MSL for the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, his final professional match in SA was a second-division 50-over game against North West. The Major League will be a key stepping stone for the talented seamer to rebooting his career in the Golden State.

Corné Dry

From SA U19 to franchise cricket, there’s been no doubt over what the tall, strapping 30-year-old quick can achieve. A few months after the onset of the pandemic, Dry moved to Atlanta, and has been a staple in his club team there. He even took part in the Minor League two years ago, and is now raring to go for the LA Knight Riders. He brings 9 seasons of domestic experience to the table, and in addition to his wicket-taking prowess, he can bat down the order as well.

Dane Piedt

Probably the most prominent of the US-based former South African players, the offspinner got a deal with the Washington Freedom in Round 6. Piedt played 9 Tests for the Proteas between 2014 and 2019, before he retired from domestic cricket in March 2020. Since then, he has often been involved in the Minor League, and now has the opportunity to chase the American Dream.

David White

Another Bay Area resident, the batting allrounder made it to his home franchise in Round 7. Also a former U19 national who played for the A team, White arrived in the US in October 2020. He is very bullish on the potential of cricket in the US, and has set his sights on representing the red, white, and blue as soon as he’s fully qualified. Expect the best from the strong-willed 31-year-old.

Cody Chetty

Having retired from domestic cricket in late 2020, the former Dolphins batter is now in the City of Angels. However, he’ll be padding up for the Texas Super Kings in the Major League. A positive right-hander who can play his shots, Chetty is on course to kickstarting his cricketing career in the US after more than a decade in coastal KZN.

Shadley van Schalkwyk

Among the first to express interest in playing in the US, the former Knights seamer will be in action for the LA Knight Riders. He has been playing club cricket in Seattle since 2021. He was chosen towards the end of the draft, and his resume includes 12 years of domestic cricket.

Justin Dill

Last, but not least, the powerful allrounder will be playing for the Washington Freedom. Best known for his involvement in the 2014 U19 WC, Dill is now based in St. Louis. He has made steady progress in the club scene since early 2021, too.