With the domestic season kicking off on Monday 2 November, Khalid Mohidin expresses what excites him the most about the highly-anticipated tournament.
We have waited so long for this. To have our boys run out to the middle, playing the purest form of the game (at domestic level), finding their form and the countries best talent battling it out for the love the game.
This season’s 4-day series will be one of the most competitive competitions in a long while, with the Corona Virus creating one particular positive amongst the chaos it has left in its wake – Proteas players will be participating in the series.
The competition will see our beloved Proteas versus, the next inline, versus the future Proteas.
The 4-Day Series kicks off on 2 November, with a total of 18 games played before a short break from 23 December 2020 till 18 February 2021.
The final three games will take place from 18 February till 21 February, with the 5-Day final taking place on 25 February.
Amazingly, that break serves as a massive incentive for all 4-Day Cricketers. With a new Convenor of Selectors in place, it will give him an opportunity to scout all the talent that the country has to offer. For players on the brink of a possible national call-up, the Sri Lanka series on Boxing Day gives them the perfect prize to aim for and an incredible reason to churn out top-class performances.
The Proteas players involved, will also be able to gain momentum leading into the Test series.
This is all hypothetical of-course. Convenor of Selectors Victor Mpitsang could already have his provisional squad in mind, but with the majority of the tournament taking place in 2020, I guess it’s become the norm to say “anything can happen”.
What stood out to me the most about this campaign, is the young talent across the board. We have the likes Gerald Coetzee, Raynard van Tonder, Duan Jansen, Matthew Breetzke, Sinethemba Qeshile, Marco Jansen, Jade de Klerk, Jonathan Bird, Khwezi Gumede, Thando Ntini, Ruan de Swardt, Lifa Ntnazi, Andile Mokgakane and Joshua Richards just to name a few, who have represented SA U19 over the last 3-4 years.
With regards to Proteas Test players that will on display, we will get to see Zubayr Hamza, Pieter Malan, George Linde, Theunis de Bruyn, Dean Elgar, Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorius, Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma in action.
It pains me that fans will be prohibited from seeing all the talent and quality of cricket that will inevitably be on display. (It’s not too late SuperSport, to broadcast the games 😉)
Will the Lions defend their championship? or will there be a new winner crowned?
The opening round of fixtures will see:
– Knights vs Warriors
– Cobras vs Titans
– Dolphins vs Lions
FULL SQUADS:
The Knights squad for 2020/21 is: Mbulelo Budaza, Gerald Coetzee, Farhaan Behardien, Ferisco Adams, Andries Gous, Duan Jansen, Matthew Kleinveldt, Patrick Kruger, Wandile Makwetu, Grant Mokoena, Alfred Mothoa, Migael Pretorius, Jacques Snyman, Pite van Biljon (capt), Raynard van Tonder, Jonathan Vandiar, Shaun von Berg.
The Warriors squad for 2020/21 is: Stefan Tait, Matthew Breetzke, Lesiba Ngoepe, Wihan Lubbe, Anrich Nortje, Sinethemba Qeshile, Tshepo Ntuli, Jon-Jon Smuts, Yaseen Vallie (capt), Eddie Moore, Gihahn Cloete, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Basheer Walters, Marco Jansen, Rudi Second, Aya Gqamane, Glenton Stuurman, Marco Marais, Jade de Klerk.
The Cobras squad for 2020/21 is: Pieter Malan, Zubayr Hamza (capt), Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne, George Linde, Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch, Jason Smith, Nandre Burger, Aviwe Mgijima, Calvin Savage,Imraan Manack, Ziyaad Abrahams, Tshepo Moreki, Onke Nyaku, Akhona Mnyaka, Isma-eel Gafieldien, Jonathan Bird.
The Titans squad for 2020/21 is:
Theunis de Bruyn, Khwezi Gumede, Dean Elgar, Lizaad Williams, Gregory Maklokwana, Quinton De Kock, Thando Ntini, Dayyaan Galiem, Aiden Markram, Grant Thomson (capt), Matthew Arnold, Heinrich Klaasen, Junior Dala, Kablelo Sekhukhune, Lungi Ngidi, Rubin Herman, Faf Du Plessis, Neil Brand, Henry Davids, Ryan Cartwright, Sibonelo Makhanya, Okhule Cele, Diego Rosier, Tabraiz Shamsi.
The Dolphins squad for 2020/21 is:
Keegan Petersen, Robbie Fylinck, Khaya Zondo, Senuran Muthusamy, Sarel Erwee, Keshav Maharaj, Prenelen Subrayen, Ottneil Baartman, Marques Ackerman, Grant Roelofsen, David Miller, Daryn Dupavillon, Kerwin Mungroo, Eathan Bosch, Ruan de Swardt, Mangaliso Mosehle, Keith Dudgeon, Lifa Ntnazi, Andile Mokgakane, Andile Phehlukwayo.
The Lions squad for 2020/21 is:
Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Malusi Siboto, Dominic Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Beuran Hendricks, Kagiso Rabada, Eldred, Hawken, Lutho Sipamla, Kagiso Rapulana, Nono Pongolo, Ryan Rickleton, Dwaine Pretorius, Wesley Marshall, Delano Potgieter, Joshua Richards, Sisanda Magala, Rassie van der Dussen, Tladi Bokako, Aaron Phangiso, Nicky van den Bergh, Temba Bavuma.
