South Africa Domestic Season 2011/12

[Quaggas]

Does anyone know what SA franchise profitability looks like? Reading the recent CA Governance Review, I was surprised that Oz State teams are not profitable, and basically live off the national team. My guess would now be that this is doubly true in SA?

 

[popepouri]

Titans are SuperSport 4-day champions and denied the Cape Cobras their 3rd win in a row.

Wasn't impressed with this season. No talent came through and really impressed me other than the usuals (Peterson, McKenzie...).

 

[SeamUp]

Wasn't impressed with this season. No talent came through and really impressed me other than the usuals (Peterson, McKenzie...).

Richard Levi and Marchant De Lange have been the bolters.

Van Zyl, JJ Smuts, Ingram, Elgar, Hendricks, Rossouw and Faf have been solid and built on what we know. Still disappointed with Jonathan Vandiar.

4 players to stand up and not SA 'A' players yet were Dane Vilas, Temba Bavuma, Chris Morris and Simon Harmer.

 

[SeamUp]

Now we know Boucher's successor

by Ken Borland 13 February 2012, 13:33

After a couple of years of fraught speculation, we finally know who Mark Boucher's designated successor is - Thami Tsolekile.

Tsolekile's inclusion in the list of 22 nationally-contracted players announced on Monday is not only a reward for how well the bizhub Highveld Lions wicketkeeper/batsman has done domestically, but also a clear indication that the national selectors have earmarked him as the successor to Boucher when the world record-holder hangs up his gloves after the tour to England ends in September.

"Yes, Thami wouldn't be getting a national contract if we didn't think he was the successor," convenor of selectors Andrew Hudson told supersport.com on Monday. "There's obviously still a selection process that has to happen before any series, so you can't take anything for granted, but it's a decision based on his SuperSport Series performances over the last two or three years and also on the fact he's never let the SA A team down."

Finding Boucher's successor has been a complicated business, with Dane Vilas, Heino Kuhn and Daryn Smit all making strong challenges as well, but Tsolekile has seemingly won the race thanks to his no-frills glovework and tenacious batting.

"Thami's been a serious contender for a while, he's 100% as a gloveman plus he's been scoring runs. He made 58 against Australia in November on a difficult pitch and that showed he has some serious ability," Hudson said.

Tsolekile's long-term future as the South African wicketkeeper will, to a great extent, depend on how his report card looks after the England tour, where he is likely to understudy Boucher and play in at least one of the three county games before the first test.

"It's definitely possible that Thami will go to England, it makes sense for him to go as an understudy," Hudson said.

Tsolekile will have the advantage of having played at the highest level before, having appeared in three tests (including two in India) in 2004 and Boucher has already promised his aid to whoever his successor will be.

The 31-year-old Tsolekile is one of three newly-contracted players, the other new contracts going to Nashua Titans batsmen Faf du Plessis and Jacques Rudolph.

Despite being picked for the tour to New Zealand, Titans fast bowler Marchant de Lange has not been offered a national contract, but Hudson said the 21-year-old could well break into the group during the year.

"The fact that he's not getting a contract at the moment does not detract from the fact that he's a good player and he's definitely in our plans going forward. As it is at the moment, he'll only play in our test side if there's an injury, but we have room to contract him during the year," Hudson explained.

The presence of Ashwell Prince in the national contract list may appear to be an anachronism after his unceremonious dropping from the test side, but Hudson said the selectors were still looking at the number six position and the Chevrolet Warriors left-hander remained in contention.

"Ashwell's presence is just because the number six position hasn't been resolved yet, nobody has really laid claim to it. If Ashwell's on-song, then he's good enough and if he's performing, then he'll definitely be in the picture," Hudson said.

The players who have lost national contracts are the injury-prone Nashua Dolphins batsman Loots Bosman and Chevrolet Knights all-rounder Ryan McLaren, despite the fact he was the leading all-rounder in the SuperSport Series with 576 runs and 26 wickets.

Nationally contracted squad: Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Dale Steyn, Juan Theron, Thami Tsolekile, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

 

[SeamUp]

CSA launches MiWAY T20 Challenge
Posted by: Cricket South Africa on Monday, 13 February 2012



CSA on Monday announced MiWay Insurance Group as the title sponsor of the Miway T20 Challenge at the official launch of South Africa’s most popular domestic competition.

CSA CEO Gerald Majola said he was delight to welcome MiWay to the South African cricket family. “The initial sponsorship period is for this season only,” he commented, “but we will be aiming to sign a long-term deal with this particular product during the off-season.

“The MiWay T20 Challenge always attracts huge public interest and support and has a habit of going right down to the wire as the franchises battle for the prize of competing in the Nokia Champions’ League at the start of next season.

“All six our franchises have qualified for the Champions’ League in its brief history which shows just how competitive the MiWay T20 Challenge is going to be. And there are still places up for grabs in the Proteas’ squad to be selected for the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka later this year.”

The quality of this year’s competition is reflected by the outstanding internationals on display such as Paul Collingwood (England), Brad Hogg (Australia) and Chris Gayle (West Indies). In addition those Proteas not involved in the Test series against New Zealand will be available for the majority of matches. This includes the likes of Albie Morkel, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Richard Levi, Johan Botha, Wayne Parnell and Rusty Theron.

There are also outstanding T20 specialists such as Loots Bosman, Roelof van der Merwe, Makhaya Ntini, Charl Langeveldt and Herschelle Gibbs.

MiWay CEO Rene Otto commented: “We are very excited about this sponsorship opportunity – we think it’s an ideal match for MiWay as T20 offers a fun, unconventional approach to cricket, much like our brand does in the short-term insurance space.

“We love the challenge of taking on and challenging the status quo, and look forward to a thrilling T20 series!”


FRANCHISE SQUADS

Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras: Alistair Gray, Andrew Puttick, Charl Langeveldt, Dane Piedt, Dane Vilas, Francois Plaatjies, Herschelle Gibbs, Johann Louw, Justin Kemp, Mohammed Vallie,, Owais Shah, Qaasim Adams, Rory Kleinveldt, Stiaan van Zyl, Brad Hogg.

CSA contracted players: Dale Steyn, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander.

NZ Tour players: Justin Ontong, Richard Levi.

Sunfoil Dolphins: Kyle Abbott, Ahmed Amla, Cameron Delport, Cody Chetty, Dane Paterson, Daryn Smit, David Miller, Imraan Khan, Keshav Maharaj, Mathew Hulett, Mthokozisi Shezi, Robbie Frylinck, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Chris Gayle, 2nd overseas pro (still to be confirmed).

CSA contracted players: Hashim Amla, Imran Tahir, Loots Bosman.

Chevrolet Knights: Morne van Wyk, Aubrey Swanepoel, Dean Elgar (subject to fitness), Dillon du Preez, Jandre Coetzee, Johannes van der Wath, Malusi Siboto, Michael Erlank, Obus Pienaar, Quinton Friend, Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Ryan Bailey, Shadley van Wyk, Werner Coetsee.

CSA contracted player: Ryan McLaren.

Bizhub Highveld Lions: Aaron Phangiso, Chris Morris, Cliffe Deacon, Eddie Leie, Ethan O’Reilly, Gulam Bodi, Jean Symes, Jonathan Vandiar, Neil McKenzie, Quinton de Kock, Thami Tsolekile, Temba Bavuma, Zander de Bruyn, Dirk Nannes, Sohail Tanveer.

CSA contracted player: Alviro Petersen.

Nashua Titans: Martin van Jaarsveld, Alfonso Thomas, CJ de Villiers, David Wiese, Eden Links, Ethy Mbhalati, Farhaan Behardien, Hardus Viljoen, Heino Kuhn, Henry Davids, Mangaliso Mosehle, Paul Harris, Roelof van der Merwe, Rowan Richards, Shaun von Berg.

CSA contracted players: AB de Villiers, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel.
NZ Tour players: Faf du Plessis, Jacques Rudolph, Marchant de Lange.

Chevrolet Warriors: Andrew Birch, Arno Jacobs, Atti Dyili, Basheer Walters, Craig Thyssen, David White, Davy Jacobs, Gurshwin Rabie, Jon-Jon Smuts, Justin Kreusch, Kelly Smuts, Lyall Meyer, Makhaya Ntini, Nicky Boje, Simon Harmer.

CSA contracted players: Ashwell Prince, Colin Ingram, Johan Botha, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Rusty Theron, Wayne Parnell.

 

[SeamUp]

New Age Impi plan to do it MiWAY!


CRICKET SOUTH AFRICA (CSA) on Monday unveiled The New Age Impi* as the new seventh team to take part in this season’s MiWAY T20 Challenge.

The New Age Impi squad will have former Proteas’ assistant coach Vinnie Barnes as head coach, will have the High Performance Centre in Pretoria as its training base and will play its home matches at Sahara Park Willowmoore.

Barnes and fellow national selector Corrie van Zyl have named former England T20 captain Paul Collingwood as the captain and he is one of four players CSA will be recruiting for their squad from overseas in terms of the rules and regulations for this competition.

Ryan ten Doeschate, one of the top players from the Netherlands who is ranked among the top 20 batsmen on the ICC Reliance Mobile ODI rankings, has also been recruited and negotiations are well advanced for two more high profile international players.

“We are most grateful to The New Age for the support they have shown for this new venture and I am sure their confidence will be rewarded as the tournament unfolds,” commented Majola. “The launch of this new franchise is a very important moment for our domestic cricket as it will give more opportunities for players to perform at the highest domestic level and push for inclusion in the Proteas’ squad.

“We feel that this initiative is essential as there are talented players coming through our development system into the talent pipeline, who could either be lost overseas or to the game altogether if we do not create opportunities for them.

“I would also like to thank The New Age for what they have done to make it possible for us to recruit four high quality overseas players. Their support has been critical in this regard.”

The New Age Media CEO Nazeem Howa commented: “Innovation is the name of the game at The New Age, so when the opportunity to own the seventh team came we had no hesitation in making an offer.

“The New Age Impi gives us an innovating marketing thrust to follow on our trend-setting business briefings. To us it seemed logical that while the Business Briefings are aimed at connecting political leaders and ordinary people, the team gives us an opportunity to connect some really talented cricketers with up and coming players, broadening our connection to our diverse society.
“The team has some exciting youngsters and truly embraces transformation, giving these players the opportunity to play against the best in the T20 format. The New Age Impi will include some really talented players whom we believe will develop these younger players into match winners. We have invested in this team as cricket's following is amongst the widest in South Africa and we hope to use this platform to take the game to the masses.”

Coach Vinnie Barnes commented: “This is a very exciting development for South African cricket and it has been an eye-opener to see how much talent there is in our provincial ranks. We could not possibly have found a better captain than Paul Collingwood. He is a world champion in his own right, having led England to victory in the most recent edition of the ICC World Twenty20.

“Nobody will forget the battles he had with Dale Steyn during England’s last tour here in 2009/10 when he topped both their Test and ODI batting averages.

“Ryan is another top talent who scored centuries against both England and Ireland at last year’s ICC World Cup.”

Captain Paul Collingwood commented: “I am really looking forward to captaining The New Age Impi in South Africa during the local T20 competition and working alongside the head coach, Vinnie Barnes. It is a completely new franchise, new team, new group of players playing together for the first time ever but I am confident we will gel as a unit and be very competitive in this year’s competition.”

*Note: An Impi is an isiZulu word for any armed body of men. However, in English it is often used to refer to a Zulu regiment, which is called an ibutho in isiZulu.

The New Age Impi: Paul Collingwood (England, capt), Ryan ten Doeschate (Netherlands), Adrian McLaren (Griquas), Dominic Hendricks (Lions), Richard Cameron (Strikers), Cobus Pienaar (Easterns),Charl Pietersen (Griquas), Khaya Zondo (Dolphins), Siya Simetu (Western Province), Beuran Hendricks (Cobras), Craig Alexander (Lions), Pumelela Matshikwe (Lions), Ryan Canning (Western Province) plus two overseas players still to be named.

 

[SeamUp]

Jonathan Vandiar played a very mature knock the other night. Hopefully we can see more of it if the situation demands. All to often he wants to play a crash and bang innings.

No doubt Chris Morris is impressing hugely and SA selectors have already acknowledged him so its a matter of time until wearing green and gold.

Also very encouraging seeing young attacking but traditional spinners in Simon Harmer and Dane Piedt coming through. Not to forget young SA u19 spinner, Prenelan Subrayen, is with the Dolphins squad for T20 series.

 

[SeamUp]

Quinton De Kock had a good knock tonight in the T20. Lions looking very dangerous.

A lot of the young batsman stepping up so far in the tournament like Van Zyl, Chetty, Miller, Hendricks, Rossouw, Vandiar and De Kock.

Paul Collingwood hasn't stepped up with the bat for the Impi yet and they need him.

 

[SeamUp]

Does anyone know what SA franchise profitability looks like? Reading the recent CA Governance Review, I was surprised that Oz State teams are not profitable, and basically live off the national team. My guess would now be that this is doubly true in SA?

Tbh I would think that it would definitely be the same in South Africa.

Obvioiusly the more traditional franchises like Cobras, Dolphins, Lions have a lot of cash and are the only franchises employing overseas players in the T20 for instance. Cape Town, Durban and Joburg are the major cricketing cities from way back. The Titans from Pretoria could probably be added to these 3.

The Warriors (PE) and Knights (Bloem) are less profitable and hence cannot afford overseas players.

 

[SeamUp]

South Africa 'A' touring Ireland while Proteas are in England. There will be 4-day matches as well.

 

[SeamUp]

Bit bored waiting for the ODI game to start later.

Pictures of SA's future test batsman.

DEAN ELGAR (24) LHB- opener (A hard-worker and manipulates ball extremely well,reminds me of Justin Langer. Particularly strong on back-foot)

REEZA HENDRICKS (22) RHB-opener (elegant batsman,a player who scores effortlessly right from word go and is growing as a player)

STIAAN VAN ZYL (24) LHB- (The most elegant of all young batsman in South Africa. When in form makes the game look easy.)

RILEE ROSSOUW (22) LHB- (Dominating batsman who likes to get on top of bowlers. Looks to get at the ball rather than wait for it to get under the eye like the above 3.

 

[Quaggas]

South Africa 'A' touring Ireland while Proteas are in England. There will be 4-day matches as well.

How is this possible?

 

[SeamUp]

How is this possible?

The players pushing for Proteas selection will be in Ireland while the main side are in England. As its our off-season it will allow our fringe players to remain active. No disrespect to Ireland, but its a pity the A side aren't in England playing county sides and playing a game or two against the England Lions.

 

[Quaggas]

The players pushing for Proteas selection will be in Ireland while the main side are in England. As its our off-season it will allow our fringe players to remain active. No disrespect to Ireland, but its a pity the A side aren't in England playing county sides and playing a game or two against the England Lions.

Nah, it's OK. I'm just testing the limits for infraction points.

 

[Quaggas]

Tbh I would think that it would definitely be the same in South Africa.

Obvioiusly the more traditional franchises like Cobras, Dolphins, Lions have a lot of cash and are the only franchises employing overseas players in the T20 for instance. Cape Town, Durban and Joburg are the major cricketing cities from way back. The Titans from Pretoria could probably be added to these 3.

The Warriors (PE) and Knights (Bloem) are less profitable and hence cannot afford overseas players.

Thanks, missed this reply. In the past, PE's (EP) always been a decent show, but I guess the demographics are hardly favorable anymore. Despite it's market size, you'd have to wonder about the longer-term health of the Lions.

 

[SeamUp]

Thanks, missed this reply. In the past, PE's (EP) always been a decent show, but I guess the demographics are hardly favorable anymore. Despite it's market size, you'd have to wonder about the longer-term health of the Lions.

Yeah, a lot of behind the scenes problems there and the franchise has not got back to the days of the Mean Machine for Transvaal. Even with that in mind, they still will produce great cricketers for South Africa with that great cricketing school KES.

But it is a cricketing city and gets good crowds internationally and decent domestically for the limited overs and T20 so hopefully they can overcome their problems in the board room.

For some time now Durban has been the worrying one for me. The powerhouse of Natal cricket with Jackie McGlew, Barry Richards, Lee Irvine, Trevor Goddard, Mike Proctor, Hugh Tayfield and the more recent like Andrew Hudson, Jonty Rhodes, Shaun Pollock, Pat Symcox and Lance Klusener are no more. So the local team has been suffering and the crowd attendances domestically and internationally have been very average.

On the Warriors, I agree as they do get decent crowds but I suppose the money from elsewhere (sponsorships and so on) isn't in the region.

 

[SeamUp]

Boy wonder Quinton De Kock shining with the bat in the T20 again tonight with 72* off 36 balls. Should really be keeping as well and Tsolekile should be playing club cricket.

Exciting talent in Chris Morris impressing with the ball again tonight. Watch out Albie Morkel!

 

[TT Boy]

How about this for the 20/20 WC?

Hash/Kallis
Levi
de Kock
AB
JP
Albie
Botha
P
Steyn
Morne
Lopsy/Parnell/de Lange

 

[SeamUp]

How about this for the 20/20 WC?

Hash/Kallis
Levi
de Kock
AB
JP
Albie
Botha
P
Steyn
Morne
Lopsy/Parnell/de Lange

Yeah not bad, that batsman position that Ontong had should definitely go to a youngster.

Obv would love Quinton in there but will be with National Academy and U19 WC so we know he won't be picked.

I see an x-factor in David Miller and I will still back him to come good, having a good T20 so far. Also a class fielder and prob up with Faf, JP and Rilee as the best in the country in the in-field region. So would go with Dave at the moment but that may change.

Not surprised to see all the proper young batsman doing well in the T20 so far as well in Stiaan Van Zyl, Reeza Hendricks and Rilee Rossouw...if Dean Elgar was fit he woiuld also be up there as well. Even though they're the best young longer version players in the country.

Albie also has a lot to do still.My patience is wearing thin.

Supposedly playing 5 T20s against the Zimbos then the 3 against England so quite a few left. So going to be interesting and hope they give opportunities to younger players.

Also watch out for Chris Morris! Hits the ball fiercely and bowls quick as well.

 

[Briony]

de Kock really should be fast-tracked.