The Proteas don’t play any cricket for quite some time ahead of a trip to the Caribbean later this year but there are South African players in action in the IPL and the English County scene.
Here we touch on the performers who have stood out in recent weeks in their franchise and overseas county commitments.
Dean Elgar – Essex
The nuggety left-hander is now retired from international cricket but he has put in some star turns for Essex.
Dean Elgar has passed 50 three times in five innings and struck a century in their draw with Kent.
He has struck 339 runs in just three matches for the side and has shown the kind of form that suggests he quit Test cricket too soon.
He also pouched this peach of catch against Lancashire:
World-class batter. World-class slip fielder.
— Vitality County Championship (@CountyChamp) April 19, 2024
Enjoy this incredible Dean Elgar grab. pic.twitter.com/d04GJAfxac
David Bedingham – Durham
David Bedingham made a modest start to his time at Durham but came good in just his second match for the County.
He struck a belligerent 138 off just 99 balls to power Durham to a victory away from home against Worcestershire.
Bedingham was overlooked for a central contract for the coming year despite becoming a Test regular.
The best of Bedders 11th first-class century for Durham. 🤩#ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/rJH9sqyCTt
— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) April 20, 2024
Other County cricket mentions
Dane Paterson and Simon Harmer have made solid if unspectacular starts to their County Championship Division 1 seasons both claiming six wickets to date. Paterson is at Nottinghamshire and has played two matches while Harmer is at Essex and has played three.
Kyle Abbott is at Hampshire but has made a slow start to the campaign picking up just one wicket.
Marchant De Lange (Gloucestershire) and Colin Ingram (Glamorgan) are turning out in the second division.
🌪️ 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀.
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) April 17, 2024
Watch two of the very best go head to head at The Cloud County Ground from Friday, as Simon Harmer and Nathan Lyon lock horns.
Secure your seats today ⤵️
🦅 #FlyLikeAnEagle
Kagiso Rabada – Punjab Kings
In a tournament where bowlers have struggled to make any impact, Kagiso Rabada has been impressively consistent.
Rabada’s Punjab Kings franchise are struggling due to a lack of top-order power but the quick looks in great form.
He has bowled with good pace and hasn’t been tempted to bowl shorter by the new bouncer rules, maintaining a fairly full average delivery.
LBW!@PunjabKingsIPL have skipper Samson and they continue to keep things tight in this chase!
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 13, 2024
The game still very much hangs in the balance!
Watch the match LIVE on @StarSportsIndia and @JioCinema 💻📱#TATAIPL | #PBKSvRR pic.twitter.com/HuJ29TZMFd
Heinrich Klaasen – Sunrisers Hyderabad
Heinrich Klaasen’s brutal finishing ability is now a well-known factor but it remains spectacular to watch.
The pitches have been highways but Klaasen has been locked into his task of giving the Sunrisers Hyderabad a massive finish every time.
Klaasen might prove to be the key batter for the Proteas at the T20 World Cup later this year.
The art 🎨 of nailing practice to execution for a record breaking total! 🧡
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 16, 2024
Travis Head 🤝 Heinrich Klaasen#TATAIPL | #RCBvSRH | @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/gA5HcYGwFM
Gerald Coetzee -Mumbai Indians
Gerald Coetzee has been a picture of resilience in the IPL and his fight and heart have won him many new fans.
Coetzee has absorbed punishment but has also claimed key wickets for the Mumbai Indians.
His attitude under fire has helped to power his team’s resurgence in the IPL as much as his 12 wickets.
A brilliant spell by Gerald Coetzee 🔥#MIvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/OIghe56NQg
— Cricket Winner (@cricketwinner_) April 18, 2024
Other IPL performances
Aiden Markram has been solid in the middle order for the Sunrisers, often sacrificing himself for the cause in big totals. Marco Jansen has played just once for the Sunrisers.
Kwena Maphaka caused a stir as he took a hammering in his IPL debut although it should be noted that it was a high-scoring game and he wasn’t alone in being punished. The youngster has been praised for his attitude by Mumbai Indians coaches.
Quinton de Kock has been bubbling under for LSG but lately is threatening to break loose.
Tristan Stubbs has enjoyed a lot of game time for Delhi Capitals but is yet to really catch fire in the IPL.
Faf du Plessis will be disappointed with his batting and probably the leadership of the team too as RCB have struggled under his captaincy.
Nandre Burger has done well when asked to put in a shift for the Rajasthan Royals.
Anrich Nortje has taken wickets but at the cost of a lot of runs and could miss out on the T20 World Cup if he doesn’t improve.
David Miller has had an underwhelming start to his IPL at Gujarat Titans.
Dewald Brevis has played just two matches for Mumbai Indians so far and didn’t show his best batting in either match.
Rilee Rossouw has endured two short innings for Punjab Kings compounding the team’s batting struggles.
The opening pair continues to shine for @LucknowIPL 👌👌
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 19, 2024
Now Quinton de Kock reaches his fifty 🙌
Follow the Match ▶️ https://t.co/PpXrbLNaDm#TATAIPL | #LSGvCSK pic.twitter.com/FAzAYDdGFE
