Defending champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, have made their first move to strengthen their squad for the upcoming Betway SA20 season. The franchise announced on Thursday that they have acquired the services of left-handed Englishman Dawid Malan, along with fellow Briton Liam Dawson.
As excitement continues to build for the second edition of the popular franchise competition, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape have wasted no time in securing key pre-signed players to bolster their team. Joining the ranks of the Orange Army are Dawid Malan, who was once the world’s leading ICC T20 batsman, and left-arm spinner Liam Dawson.
Not only have the Sunrisers Eastern Cape brought in new additions, but they have also retained their championship-winning captain Aiden Markram and season-one pre-signed seamer Ottniel Baartman. This strategic move by the franchise aims to build a formidable squad to defend their title in the upcoming season, set to take place in January next year.
In a bid to strengthen their teams, the other five franchises have also started making key acquisitions. The Mumbai Indians Cape Town have secured the explosive English duo of Liam Livingstone and Tom Banton. They have also retained Afghan skipper Rashid Khan, Proteas paceman Kagiso Rabada, and talented players Dewald Brevis and Sam Curran.
The Joburg Super Kings, last season’s semifinalists, have pre-signed experienced all-rounders Moeen Ali from England, David Wiese from Namibia, and left-arm wrist spinner Zahir Khan from Afghanistan. They will be joined by Sam Cook, who was The Hundred’s player of the final last season. The team has also retained their highest run-scorer, Faf du Plessis, and promising fast bowler Gerald Coetzee.
Durban’s Super Giants have retained their dynamic opening duo of Quinton de Kock and West Indian Kyle Mayers, and have added powerful Sri Lankan top-order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa to their squad. The team has also strengthened their bowling department with the acquisition of Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen ul Haq, while England’s Reece Topley and spinner Prenelan Subrayen remain with the team.
The Paarl Royals have maintained their core group of players, including skipper David Miller, Corbin Bosch, England captain Jos Buttler, and West Indian left-arm swing bowler Obed McCoy. McCoy, who missed the entire inaugural Betway SA20 due to injury, will be looking to make an impact for the Royals in Season 2.
Runners-up Pretoria Capitals have retained the services of Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortje, New Zealand international Jimmy Neesham, and all-rounder Migael Pretorius.
With the pre-signing window now closed, franchises will have until July 31 to trade or retain South African players who were signed in multi-year contracts. Franchises that signed their overseas players on option contracts will also have the opportunity to retain them. If overseas players are released, it will open up an international slot for the auction.
The salary cap for each team has been increased to R39.1m, and franchises have until August 1 to finalize their pre-auction squads. The second edition’s auction is scheduled for late September.
As the franchises continue to make strategic moves and strengthen their squads, the anticipation for the upcoming season of the Betway SA20 competition grows. Fans around the country eagerly await the return of thrilling T20 cricket and the clash of these star-studded teams.
