Durban – As the Durban Heat prepare for the second edition of the Mzansi Super League, the side has announced that Dane Vilas will be at the helm for the five-week-long tournament starting this Friday.
Vilas led the Jozi Stars to victory in the 2018 edition of the competition and was one of the first draft picks by the Heat. He spent two seasons at the Hollywoodbets Dolphins where he formed a crucial part of the leadership core.
This season he led Lancashire to promotion out of the second division of the County Championship and has been in fine form with both the bat and the gloves during the UK summer.
“For me it was an easy decision,” the 34 year old said. “I have been captain quite a lot in the UK, here at home and then last year with the Jozi Stars in this competition so it was a straight-forward decision for me.
“You can’t turn a guy like Gary Kirsten down. It’s great to see that he and the management staff have faith in me to do it so I am honoured.”
Vilas feels that working with a coach like Gary Kirsten will be a good fit for his captaincy.
“I met Gary a few times in the UK and he is such a meticulous coach which is what I love and so when he mentioned the role I didn’t hesitate at all.
“I am confident with how I have been going but what gives me more confidence is looking at the squad that we have assembled from the draft.
“We’ve got a good mix of guys, a lot of local talent and brilliant overseas players in Ravi Bopara and Alex Hales so there is a good make-up in the squad.”
The rest of the squad lines up strongly and Vilas knows that, with the players that they have, they are in with a good shout of winning the competition if they can fire.
“We have got a lot of match-winners in the side and guys that have won a lot of matches in the past.
“That is what we want. We want to challenge the guys to go out there, put up their hands and win games for the Durban Heat.
“I like to lead through challenging players to be the best that they can be and that is what I want to encourage from the guys this competition.”
The Durban Heat begin their 2019 Mzansi Super League campaign with a match against the Tshwane Spartans at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Cricket Stadium on Saturday, 9 November.
More information can be found at www.durbanheat.co.za.
Should you require any further assistance contact Nick Tatham (083 610 1232) or email [email protected]
Durban Heat Squad:
Andile Phehlukwayo, Alex Hales, David Miller (retained player), Dane Vilas, Ravi Bopara, Keshav Maharaj (retained player), Kyle Abbott (retained player), Khaya Zondo (retained player), Marco Jansen, Daryn Dupavillon, Sarel Erwee (retained player), Malusi Siboto, Prenelan Subrayen, Wihan Lubbe, Shaun von Berg, Wesley Marshall.
DURBAN HEAT FIXTURES
Saturday, November 9: 12h30, Durban Heat v Tshwane Spartans, Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium
Friday, November 15: 17h30, Durban Heat v Paarl Rocks, Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium
Sunday, November 17: 10h00, Durban Heat v Cape Town Blitz, Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium
Thursday, November 21: 17h30, Tshwane Spartans v Durban Heat, SuperSport Park
Saturday, November 23: 12h30, Nelson Mandela Bay Giants v Durban Heat, St. George’s Park
Thursday, November 28: 17h30, Cape Town Blitz v Durban Heat, Newlands
Saturday, November 30: 12h30, Durban Heat v Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium
Wednesday, December 4: 17h30, Paarl Rocks v Durban Heat, Eurolux Boland Park
Saturday, December 7: 12h30, Jozi Stars v Durban Heat, Imperial Wanderers Stadium
Tuesday, December 10: 17h30, Durban Heat v Jozi Stars, Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium
Friday, December 13: 17h30, Play-off, 2nd v 3rd
(reserve day if required on Saturday, December 14, 12h30)
Monday, December 16: 17h30, Final
(reserve day if required on Tuesday, December 17, 17h30)
