We take a look at 4 stand-out all-rounders aged 25 and under that performed well in the CSA T20 Challenge.
Marco Jansen:
6 matches, 4 wickets @ 38.5, an economy rate of 7.33, best returns of 2/21
6 matches, 71 runs @ 17.75, SR of 126.78, best of 47
For the 20-year-old phenom, it’s been quite a whirlwind of recent events. From getting picked for the Pakistan tour to getting drafted by the Mumbai Indians during the IPL auction, Jansen has plenty to savor.
He brings something unique to the table with his sharp left-arm pace and clean hitting down the order. Jansen’s best performance with the bat came against the Cobras, and even though the Warriors lost, his 47 ensured that his side had the batting depth down to No 8. The next two games brought about his best showings with the ball.
While he wasn’t necessarily among the wickets regularly, he’s been billed as a very promising youngster and a star in the making. He’s got some experience playing for the South Africa A team, and an international debut is on the horizon.
Wiaan Mulder:
3 matches, 64 runs (all not-out), SR of 148.83, best of 25*
3 matches, 2 wickets @ 13.5, an economy rate of 5.4, best returns of 1/11
First of all, the Lions youngster has the most experience out of the allrounders mentioned, with 4 Tests and 10 ODIs. It felt like he came back from Pakistan with a point to prove, since the Proteas had struggled in the Test series.
Since his early days at franchise level, Mulder has made a name for himself in the longer format, but in more recent times, he’s shown his adaptability to all formats. The Tshwane Spartans recruited him for the 2019 Mzansi Super League, and towards the later stage of the tournament, he opened the batting and made a half-century.
Let’s fast-forward to this year’s CSA T20 Challenge. Mulder got three games, and in each game, his contribution with the bat proved to make a telling difference in the outcome.
His 25* from 10 against the Cobras quickly and resolutely sealed a slightly tricky chase of 147, and his 24* in the low-scoring final against the Dolphins was another important cameo to ease the nerves and clinch the title. His last season was marred by injury, but this tremendous bounce back from the 23-year-old is nothing short of commendable.
With the ball, he chipped in with the occasional economical spell and took a couple of wickets too. It’s an encouraging sign that the ongoing search for both a dependable young allrounder and a fearless finisher is bearing fruit. While he hasn’t yet played a T20I for South Africa, it’s likely he may end up in T20WC plans for next year, if not this year.
Dayyaan Galiem:
3 matches, 64 runs @ 64, SR of 112.28, best of 45
3 matches, 3 wickets @ 18, an economy rate of 10.8, best returns of 2/25
Another promising young two-in-one, the 24-year-old Titans seam-bowling allrounder showed glimpses of his potential in the three games he played.
His team may have come up tantalizingly short of the playoff game, but Galiem didn’t bow out without a fight. When he was promoted up the order to No 3, he put together a solid 45 from 39 against the Dolphins. Despite coming up short by 7 runs, it was refreshing to see yet another talented bolter step up.
Galiem’s bowling was used rather sparingly by skipper Heinrich Klaasen, especially in the presence of plenty of frontline bowling choices, but even then he was the golden arm when he took a couple of wickets to break key stands. It remains to be seen which of his two skills will end up taking precedence in the long run, but Galiem is a well-rounded cricketer with a bright future ahead.
Migael Pretorius:
4 matches, 6 wickets @ 20.16, an economy rate of 8.06, best returns of 3/26
4 matches, 62 runs @ 31, SR of 158.97, best of 38*
Amid a difficult tournament for the Knights, the 25-year-old pace-bowling allrounder emerged as a top find for his team. In the games he played, he made sure he’d create a splash, with either or both skills.
In the very first game, he took three early wickets against the Titans, but the best was yet to come. Against the Dolphins, who were the top contenders early on, Pretorius smacked a 23-ball 38* to drive the Knights past 140, setting up a competitive total. However, his most memorable performance came against the Cobras, when he hit two sixes and a four in the last three balls of the chase to inflict a scintillating turnaround and win the match.
He started off with the Titans, followed by a couple of seasons with the Lions. After an extended season on the fringes, the move to the Knights has been the catalyst for change.
Pretorius got a Test call when Sri Lanka visited, and even though he didn’t get a game, this season has been a productive one for the star allrounder across formats. Bowling might be his primary skill, but he’s more than capable of striking a few lusty blows down the order when he’s in the mood.
In addition, he’s even played in the T10 League in late 2019 for the Deccan Gladiators, so he’s got some experience of franchise cricket abroad as well.
