South African Domestic Season 2015/16

[SeamUp]

Finally some proper domestic cricket is back with the first round of Sunfoil Series cricket starting tomorrow.

The following players wouldn't have been available for their franchise teams in the first round :

SA Inv team has some up-and-coming players and some really average players. Suppose Aiden Markram, Zubayr Hamza, Qaasim Adams & Heinrich Klaasen while the bowling has Junior Dala and Andile Phehlukwayo as stand-outs.

SA 'A' team to play England :

Stephen Cook
Reeza Hendricks
Rilee Rossouw
Quinton de Kock
Omphile Ramela
Khaya Zondo
Dane Vilas (wk & c)
Keshav Maharaj
Wayne Parnell
Chris Morris
Marchant de Lange


Proteas that weren't released : AB de Villiers, Faf Du Plessis, Dale Steyn (injury), Vernon Philander (injury), Kyle Abbott, Kagiso Rabada & Morne Morkel

 

[SeamUp]

Hashim Amla will play his first Sunfoil Series game for the Cape Cobras when they host the VKB Knights in the competition’s opening round, and will be joined by three other Proteas in a strong home side.

Amla did not turn out in the four-day competition last season due to his international commitments, but will use Thursday’s match at PPC Newlands as a warm-up for the first test against England at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Boxing Day.

JP Duminy, Stiaan van Zyl and Dane Piedt will also enjoy some red-ball action on home soil, giving the Cobras a necessary boost after their RAM SLAM Twenty20 campaign ended in disappointment last week.

“We spent some time away from the game, but now we’ve got to switch over to the four-day competition as quickly as we can,” said coach Paul Adams.

“We set ourselves high standards. For us it’s important to start well, and luckily we’ve got some of our Proteas back. From there we can kick on into a normal squad that can settle into the competition.”

By contrast, the Knights have been short of their two best batsmen, with Rilee Rossouw and Reeza Hendricks involved in the South Africa A game against England in Pietermaritzburg that starts on Sunday.

That has necessitated a shuffle, with Letlotlo Sesele and Diego Rosier coming back into the squad, while left-arm seamer Mbulelo Budaza is in line for a franchise debut.

“We’ve got a few young batters in the side, so it’s an opportunity for them to stand up and show what they’re made of,” said Knights coach, Nicky Boje.

South Western Districts batsman, Luthando Mnyanda, has been signed on loan for the second round of games, while Quinton Friend is making his way back from injury and could also come into contention in round two.

In the meantime the Knights will rely on Duanne Olivier to lead the attack against a strong Cobras batting unit, with Corne Dry out injured.

“We did pick up a bit of momentum up in the last couple of Twenty20 games, and now with a different competition the guys are looking forward to it,” said Boje.

Puttick to lead star-studded Cape Cobras at PPC Newlands ‪#‎SFseries‬

CAPE TOWN. – Andrew Puttick will lead a star-studded Cape Cobras bolstered by the presence of the South African quartet of Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Stiaan van Zyl and Dane Piedt, in the opening match of their Sunfoil Series-season against the VKB Knights at PPC Newlands on Thursday.

“Justin Ontong has taken a little mental break. And there’s just no place, as we go into the match with four fast bowlers,” said Paul Adams, the Cape Cobras coach.

The selectors have rewarded two players who have performed superbly in the Sunfoil Three-Day Cup for their provinces, with call-ups to the Cape Cobras squad.

Keegan Petersen has amassed 266 runs at an average of 88.66 for Boland this season and will possibly occupy the number-four spot.

Lizaad Williams has been the destroyer-in-chief for Western Province, blowing away batting line-ups with his pace and movement. He has taken 17 wickets at an average of 10.82 and will almost certainly start at PPC Newlands.

“Dane Paterson will be the leader of the attack. He has grown tremendously,” said Adams when probed about the fast bowler who captured 42 Sunfoil Series-wickets last season.

Amla has hammered 23 centuries in 88 tests and has been one of the world’s best batsmen the past decade, but he is in desperate need of a century to bolster his confidence.

He will bat at number three for the Cobras.

Duminy, at number five, has also not been in top-form, despite some excellent performances in the limited-over formats. His unbeaten 68 off 34 balls set up South Africa’s first T20-win against India in India.

“Partnerships will be vital for us this season, both with bat and ball,” said Adams.

The bizhub Highveld Lions finished at the summit of the Sunfoil Series log last season courtesy of 11 centuries, and Adams is mindful of the importance of big tons to transfer pressure to the opposition.

The Cobras were only able to perform at maximum level at the back-end of last season when their top-order showed their mettle.

Early on, they simply could not string together batting partnerships, while their inability to capture 20 wickets also affected the efficiency of the batsmen.

“We need to click early with bat and ball,” said Adams.

Beuran Hendricks is match-fit, but Adams pointed to the fact that other bowlers have performed superbly, and deserve their spots.

Rory Kleinveldt was not available for selection as he is in bed with flue.

The Cape Cobras squad for the match against the Knights is: Andrew Puttick (capt), Mthokozisi Shezi, Stiaan van Zyl, Lesiba Ngoepe, Lizaad Williams, Tsepo Moreki, Beuran Hendricks, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Hashim Amla, Keegan Petersen, JP Duminy, Dane Piedt, Dane Paterson.

Therefore no Levi, Ontong, Robbi P, Linde, Kemp & Kleinveldt for the Cobras.

Quinton de Kock, Chris Morris and Marchant de Lange will all be missing for the Unlimited Titans when they host the Warriors in the Sunfoil Series this weekend, but coach, Rob Walter, is understandably confident that their replacements will fill the void.

All three players will be taking part in South Africa A’s match against England that starts on Sunday, but Walter does have Dean Elgar available for the fixture at SuperSport Park as well as several four-day specialists who have some recent long-form cricket under their belts.

Heino Kuhn, Grant Mokoena, Rowan Richards and Ethy Mbhalati will all come into the squad, having played three-day cricket for their provinces while the Titans were winning the RAM SLAM T20 title in dominant fashion.

Elgar will open the batting with Kuhn, who scored 527 runs in six matches at an average of 58.55 in the Sunfoil Series last season, while it is also worth recalling the value that Richards and Mbhalati added as the Titans finished second in the competition last term.

Richards played every game and was the fifth highest wicket-taker with 36 at an average of 27.86, while Mbhalati took 29 wickets at 24.13.

“That’s definitely a strength of ours, that our ‘next-in’ players are top quality and they have been performing, so with those three South Africa A players not available there’s a well-earned opportunity for them to play,” said Walter.

“We want to start well - we don’t want to get caught up in the T20 hangover. Last year we came second and this year we want to push for that top spot.”

The Warriors have not lost any players to either the Proteas or the South Africa A squads, and have instead regained Simon Harmer after the offspinner was left out of the squad to face England.

“We’re excited to have Simon back. With the experience of India he’ll come in and give great energy to the group,” said coach, Malibongwe Maketa. “He’s an international quality spinner and he’ll want to go out and prove to the country that he belongs at the highest level.”

After falling agonisingly short of the RAM SLAM play-offs, Maketa admitted that time away from the game has helped to heal the wounds, as has the addition of new players to the squad.

Openers David White and Michael Price are two of those players, and will be asked to give the Warriors a firm foundation to their innings against a Titans side that won’t lack for confidence.

The Bizhub Highveld Lions will be without regular captain, Stephen Cook, as well as Thami Tsolekile when they open their Sunfoil Series defence against the Sunfoil Dolphins at Bidvest Wanderers, but will have Temba Bavuma in their ranks.

While Cook has been selected to play for South Africa A against England on Sunday and Tsolekile is recovering from a minor injury, Bavuma has been made available for the game.

Having opened the batting for the Proteas in his last outing, Bavuma will have the opportunity to return to the more familiar surrounds of the middle-order.

Nicky van den Bergh will cover the wicketkeeping duties for Tsolekile, who is expected to recover in time for the second round of games, while Pumelela Matshikwe has also been selected after confirming his return to fitness this past weekend, when he took 6 for 17 to bowl North West to victory over Northerns in the Sunfoil 3-Day Cup.

The Lions finished almost 40 points clear at the top of the table last season, winning seven of their ten games, and Cook is clear about where they need to mirror that campaign.

“It’s important to start this competition well, because it’s actually quite hard to catch up at the back end,” he said. “It’s not like one-day cricket where you have to get a result; guys can play for the draw and prepare flatter pitches, which can make it harder to play for the win.”

Khaya Zondo and Keshav Maharaj will join Cook in the South Africa A set-up, so the Dolphins will also go into the fixture without a couple of key players.

However, they can call on players such as Mathew Pillans and Daryn Dupavillon, who have hardly featured for the Dolphins with the white ball but shone with the red one last season.

While Pillans took 29 wickets in six games at an average of 23.79, Dupavillon took 26 wickets in seven matches.

“There have been quite a few guys who have done well in three-day cricket so far this season, so those guys will get an opportunity,” confirmed captain, Morne van Wyk.

The Dolphins can not only be buoyed by their run to the RAM SLAM T20 final this season, but can look back fondly on their four-day campaign last term, when they competed throughout before eventually finishing third.

“It showed the potential that we have as a group of players, and hopefully we’ll still be hungry enough to improve,” said Van Wyk. “Ideally after six or seven games you want to be in the mix and then push for a big finish.”

The Sunfoil Dolphins will look to take momentum from their recent Ram Slam T20 Challenge runners-up efforts as well as the good form shown by the KwaZulu-Natal and KZN Inland provincial teams into the 2015/16 Sunfoil Series which gets under way on Thursday, 17 December, as they prepare to compete for the competition’s increased R2-million winner’s cheque.

Through the generous support of competition title sponsors Sunfoil and the Willowton Group, the prize money pool has been increased to R3.3 million in total with the competition winners’ reward double that of 2014/15’s season.

“With first-class four-day cricket being the premier domestic competition, we are pleased to announce another increase in prize money for our Sunfoil Series,” said CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat.

“We’ve seen over the years how the Sunfoil Series has provided the perfect foundation for up and coming players to develop and showcase their talent before moving into the test arena.

“I must once again thank the Willowton Group for being such a superb partner in supporting cricket from grassroots to professional level,” added Lorgat.

Starting with their a trip to Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg for their opening clash against the powerful bizhub Highveld Lions from 17-20 December, the Dolphins have a busy festive period and will hope to bank some good early momentum in the four-day competition.

The franchise’s side’s recent T20 performance has been complemented well by strong showing from the province’s two provincial outfits as well, boding well for the upcoming first class tournament.

“The KZN Coastal team is doing fantastically well and the Inland team is top of the log in their pool in the Amateur league so there is some good confidence that guys bring with them from there into the Sunfoil Series,” said Dolphins stand-in captain Divan van Wyk, who replaces his brother Morné at the helm.

With the departure of international stars Kevin Pietersen and Dwayne Bravo – who both played important roles for the Dolphins during the Ram Slam T20 – and the return of longer format specialists such as Van Wyk himself, Imraan Khan and Daniel Sincuba, a somewhat new-look Dolphins side heads to Johannesburg for the side’s tournament opener.

“A big congratulations to both Khaya Zondo and Keshav Maharaj on their selection for the SA ‘A’ team and Andile Phehlukwayo for his inclusion in the SA Invitational team!” said Van Wyk.

“For us though that does however sadly mean that all three aren’t available for us for this first game but that does create an exciting opportunity for some of the other guys to start a campaign.

“Some of the guys have had to wait a bit to be a part of things and so I think there is definitely a hunger from those guys to be a part of the team and to contribute as well.”

Others who have been included in the 12-man outfit for the journey to the City of Gold who haven’t yet played a role in the Dolphins this season include seamers Daryn Dupavillon and Mat Pillans, wicketkeeper/batsman Daryn Smit, allrounder Calvin Savage and offspinner Thandi Tshabalala.

There is also room for Sibonelo Makhanya – fresh off his astounding recent effort of 192 runs off just 199 balls for KZN in the Sunfoil Cup – in the squad, Proteas middle order batsman David Miller returns to the whites after nearly a year’s absence while Cody Chetty has also earned himself a recall.

Ayavuya Myoli – who impressed in his debut for the KZN provincial side at the start of the season and then played all but the final of the Dolphins’ Ram Slam T20 Challenge campaign – has received a maiden Sunfoil Series call-up.

SUNFOIL DOLPHINS SQUAD:

Divan Van Wyk (captain), Imraan Khan, Daniel Sincuba, Cody Chetty, David Miller, Daryn Smit, Sibonelo Makhanya, Calvin Savage, Matthew Pillans, Daryn Dupavillon, Ayavuya Myoli, Mthandeki Tshabalala, Lance Klusener (head coach), Rivash Gobind (assistant coach), Brett Edwards (physiotherapist)

Dolphins have gone for total change. No M.van Wyk, Delport, van Jaarsveld, Vandiar, Alexander, Engelbrecht & McLaren who were part of their T20 campaign

 

[brockley]

Talk of match fixing in the Ram Slam sad if true.They talking about an intermediatory.No player named at this stage.Rumour mongrelling on who it could be and if any matches we're fixed is unhelpful at this stage.Hope its not true.

 

[SeamUp]

Talk of match fixing in the Ram Slam sad if true.They talking about an intermediatory.No player named at this stage.Rumour mongrelling on who it could be and if any matches we're fixed is unhelpful at this stage.Hope its not true.

The positive though is that it was nailed early on so I don't think it got into action where it matters. Let's see what they found out.

 

[SeamUp]

Imran Tahir is picking up his 1 game suspension from last season so that is why he isn't in the Dolphins squad.

Notice that Ryan McLaren didn't make the Dolphins squad. Signed a 2-year deal with Hampshire but as an overseas player. Same with Kleinveldt and Levi. I see they signed new deals with Northants to keep them their for the foreseeable future. Imagine Colin Ingram and Alviro Petersen signed longer term deals initially.

The average looking Knights team due to injuries (Siboto, Dry, Friend) & SA 'A' call-ups (Hendricks & Rossouw) + loss of key players (Elgar, M.van Wyk, McLaren) & retirements (Dippenaar, Boje, van der Wath) to play the powerful Cobras

Letlotlo Sesele
Michael Erlank
Diego Rosier
Rudi Second
Pite van Biljon
Tumelo Bodibe
Werner Coetsee
Shadley van Schalkwyk
Dillon Du Preez
Duanne Olivier
Mbulelo Budaza

 

[SeamUp]

Also the u19 Khaya Majola Coke Week (formerly the Nuffield Week) started yesterday and they announcing the SA u19 squad for the WC for the first time in quite some time immediately after the tournament. The traditional SA Schools and Colts sides will also be picked.

 

[Marius]

Imran Tahir is picking up his 1 game suspension from last season so that is why he isn't in the Dolphins squad.

Notice that Ryan McLaren didn't make the Dolphins squad. Signed a 2-year deal with Hampshire but as an overseas player. Same with Kleinveldt and Levi. I see they signed new deals with Northants to keep them their for the foreseeable future. Imagine Colin Ingram and Alviro Petersen signed longer term deals initially.

The average looking Knights team due to injuries (Siboto, Dry, Friend) & SA 'A' call-ups (Hendricks & Rossouw) + loss of key players (Elgar, M.van Wyk, McLaren) & retirements (Dippenaar, Boje, van der Wath) to play the powerful Cobras

Letlotlo Sesele
Michael Erlank
Diego Rosier
Rudi Second
Pite van Biljon
Tumelo Bodibe
Werner Coetsee
Shadley van Schalkwyk
Dillon Du Preez
Duanne Olivier
Mbulelo Budaza

Levi must surely be in with a shout to make the T20 side? Been playing really well for the Cobras.

 

[SeamUp]

Levi must surely be in with a shout to make the T20 side? Been playing really well for the Cobras.

Got to hope they don't pick Amla but you can see them doing it.

Levi always strikes it well. Suppose with the tournament in Asia they may have doubts but he deserves a call-up for sure.

 

[Niall]

Levi always strikes it well. Suppose with the tournament in Asia they may have doubts but he deserves a call-up for sure.

He signed for the Masters League recently for big money.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masters_Champions_League

The main rule is you have to be retired from International cricket so not an option.

 

[Stefan9]

Levi must surely be in with a shout to make the T20 side? Been playing really well for the Cobras.

He isn't going to make the side above QDK and AB, those are the two likely to open.

Plus he has been exposed time and time again vs spin. There is also the issue of his fielding being suspect.

In other news cobras got bungled out for 140 on the opening day of the Sunfoil 4 day competition.

 

[Marius]

He isn't going to make the side above QDK and AB, those are the two likely to open.

Plus he has been exposed time and time again vs spin. There is also the issue of his fielding being suspect.

In other news cobras got bungled out for 140 on the opening day of the Sunfoil 4 day competition.

Big lower-order collapse there. And can't believe it was Van Schalkwyk who did the damage.

 

[Marius]

And runs for Bavuma, Behardien, and Kuhn.

 

[SeamUp]

He signed for the Masters League recently for big money.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masters_Champions_League

The main rule is you have to be retired from International cricket so not an option.

Thanks mate, I didn't realise that. So many tournaments in the game nowadays.

He isn't going to make the side above QDK and AB, those are the two likely to open.

Plus he has been exposed time and time again vs spin. There is also the issue of his fielding being suspect.

In other news cobras got bungled out for 140 on the opening day of the Sunfoil 4 day competition.

You could say that but I could also say that once again in a domestic final he produced the goods. If conditions suit I would definitely consider him if he was available.

 

[SeamUp]

And runs for Bavuma, Behardien, and Kuhn.

Tough one to judge as the Warriors attack is fairly average. Birch can nip it around and consistent but only at 127kph. Walters had one of his hot streaks he tends to have but his bad is really bad. That is why Harmer has had to do a lot of bowling in the last few years and it puts his average up because he has to bowl so many overs on the first day when it isn't really spinning conditions.

 

[SeamUp]

Find it disappointing that Dupavillon misses out for the Dolphins because of the quota rulings. He should be in this Dolphins team but it is good to see Savage and Pillans in there.

New name also at franchise level is fast bowler Eldred Lockwood Hawken for the Titans.

Also see Tsotsobe missed out on selection again. Been left out in quite a few games for the Lions now.

 

[Stefan9]

Thanks mate, I didn't realise that. So many tournaments in the game nowadays.



You could say that but I could also say that once again in a domestic final he produced the goods. If conditions suit I would definitely consider him if he was available.

I could also say his fitness let him down and he got out because he couldn't make it anymore. Had he batted through cobras win that game.

Also in that game the dolphins missed a trick. They should have opened with spin vs levi but instead let him get his eye in first vs the medium pacers. Pretty sure international sides will have the spinner on straight away vs him.

 

[SeamUp]

I could also say his fitness let him down and he got out because he couldn't make it anymore. Had he batted through cobras win that game.

Also in that game the dolphins missed a trick. They should have opened with spin vs levi but instead let him get his eye in first vs the medium pacers. Pretty sure international sides will have the spinner on straight away vs him.

You still have to produce and he did and in a final again. The Cobras had to score 6 rpo and under when he went out. He can't help it that the rest were so incompetent and at least he got his team in that position. He has a talent that shouldn't be totally disregarded.

 

[SeamUp]

First 5-for of the Sunfoil Series goes to Calvin Savage of the Dolphins. His 5th was Protea Temba Bavuma for 57.

 

[SeamUp]

And runs for Bavuma, Behardien, and Kuhn.

You got to add Heino Kuhn in the opening debate now. The competition is hotting up. Outside of the current 4 with the Proteas and SA 'A' guys like Puttick, White, Ackermann (not really an opener but looks like he will open for the Warriors in the current game), D.van Wyk, Khan, Kuhn & Markram will be saying they can get some test caps here.

 

[Stefan9]

You still have to produce and he did and in a final again. The Cobras had to score 6 rpo and under when he went out. He can't help it that the rest were so incompetent and at least he got his team in that position. He has a talent that shouldn't be totally disregarded.

Given the world t20 is in India there is no way I would back Levi to score more runs then the likes of QDK or AB and those 2 will open imho. Their records in India speak for themselves and both can play spin. Also no question marks about their fitness or fielding. There are better options then levi around.