The SA20 is upon us again, and the January – February extravaganza will feature the best of local talent and superstars from across the globe. Here, we will look at one player from each team that is coming into the tournament hot.
Durban’s Super Giants – Heinrich Klaasen
Heinrich Klaasen has been on quite the tear with the bat during recent months, and there are few players in the world right now who can bully an attack like he can.
He enjoyed great form in the Cricket World Cup and has done well in T20Is for South Africa.
DSG will probably want to use Klaasen much higher in the order during the SA20 than he usually plays in international cricket.
Klaasen has shown that a franchise tournament is an excellent foil for his skills, and he will be one to watch for the tournament.
This is some of the cleanest striking. And the fact that Klassen and Miller scored at over a 15 an over in the last 10 overs is incredible .. what a knock by Heinrich Klaasen #SAvAUS #HeinrichKlaasen pic.twitter.com/OqpX9No7t2
— Aadit Kapadia (@ask0704) September 16, 2023
Joburg Super Kings – Romario Shepherd
Romario Shepherd’s batting is more of a bonus than a feature when it comes to T20 cricket, but he has shown that he can do the job with the willow in hand.
Shepherd bowled well in the West Indies’ recent engagements against England and has a good set of skills for the T20 game.
The West Indian can be used with the new ball in the powerplay or through the middle of the innings.
The all-rounder will be quite an asset for the Joburg Super Kings, given the run he has been on lately.
Bring Romario Back @JSKSA20#SA20Auction #JSK #WhistleforJoburgpic.twitter.com/OZ2JQb6lWL
— YELLOVE 𝕏 Fever™ (@hajuri_janardan) September 23, 2023
MI Cape Town – Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone is an underrated member of the England white-ball setup who has looked in great touch recently.
He arrived in South Africa off a decent tour of the West Indies, although England really struggled.
Livingstone serves as a finisher, middle-order saviour and player of cameos with the bat.
He is also a more than handy bowler whose style should suit South African conditions, especially in T20 cricket.
the day, night, moment, PPL got to know the Power “MONSTER" has !!!!!
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsCult) December 28, 2023
LIAM LIVINGSTONE 117M 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/8A8nK1u84U
Paarl Royals – Imaad Fortuin
Imaad Fortuin hasn’t been playing T20 cricket recently, with the domestic season shifting focus to the red ball in December.
However, Fortuin has been in good touch with both bat and ball in all forms of cricket this season.
A recent First Class hundred shows that he certainly knows how to wield the willow.
His experience of Boland Park will also prove valuable to the Paarl Royals, and he could form a lethal partnership with Tabriaz Shamsi with the ball.
Certainties of life:
— Paarl Royals (@paarlroyals) January 24, 2023
Death
Taxes
Bjorn Fortuin picking wickets in the Powerplay 🌟pic.twitter.com/bDnYImLsJH
Pretoria Capitals – Phil Salt
Phil Salt is one of the form players in the England setup right now and may be among the hottest batters in the world right now.
His back-to-back T20I hundreds in the Caribbean last month attest to the incredible quality of innings he produced.
Salt could be one of the players of the tournament if he can continue his run of form into the SA20.
His brutal hitting will also surely win him new fans among the Capitals faithful as well as the neutrals.
Make way for @PretoriaCapsSA's Powerhouse 🔥
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) January 8, 2024
🎥 Watch Phil Salt lead the charge for the Capitals in #SA20, starting 👉 Jan 10, LIVE on #JioCinema & #Sports18 🦏#WelcomeToIncredible#SA20onJioCinema #SA20onSports18 #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/DCmLhGRySm
Sunrisers Eastern Cape – Marco Jansen
Marco Jansen’s first Test heroics against India might have been forgotten in the midst of the disastrous second Test, but the lanky paceman is showing that he has grown into a dangerous all-rounder.
Jansen still has some moments when he goes off the boil with his line and length and needs to be able to reset.
It remains to be seen if he can impact matches with the bat in the SA20, but he can hit the ball a long way.
His bowling remains his big strength, and his height makes it possible for him to create some uncomfortable angles.
6⃣4⃣6⃣6⃣6⃣
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) January 18, 2023
MARCO JANSEN JUST HANDED RASHID KHAN HIS SECOND WORST T20 OVER!#Betway #SA20 pic.twitter.com/XzSHaKGr6j
