Having finally seen a true franchise t20 tournament get underway in South Africa, the inaugural SA20 has paused its offerings for eight days. This is because of South Africa's One Day International (ODI) series with England that has been scheduled for the end of January and start of February. So, instead of the big tournament losing a number of its star attractions, the league stage will instead resume following the conclusion of the ODI series.
This is a fairly unprecedented occurrence, particularly in franchise tournaments, but it is arguably a necessary one in order to maintain the level and the interest regarding the best South African talent. On the other hand, there could be a case made for the tournament losing some of its momentum after more than two weeks of daily cricket. That, though, is probably a price worth paying given the circumstances.
However, the show will go on and the SA20 2023 will resume on the 2nd February 2023 when MI Cape Town pay a visit to Durban to play the Super Giants.
How is the SA20 2023 league table shaping up?
The Pretoria Capitals have stormed to the top of the standings with five wins from seven games, including three bonus points to leave them six clear of second-placed Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Paarl Royals are level on points with SEC but currently have an inferior net run-rate.
Given the generous points system of four points for a win plus the chance of bonus points, Durban's Super Giants still have a chance of progression. They are rock bottom and will need to win at least two of their final three matches. In that same vein, the Capitals are not fully through, but it would take a lot for them not to appear in the semi finals.
Who have been the stars of the SA20 2023 so far?
Will Jacks has shown some astonishing form as he, along with Phil Salt and Kusal Mendis, have set about stamping their authority on proceedings at the top of the order for the Capitals. Jacks has passed fifty on three occasions in seven innings and currently sits third in the runscorers charts. He will not, though, be able to add to his 270 runs as he has joined up with the England Test team for their trip to New Zealand. Quite incredibly, Jacks' strike rate sits at over 200 which is a testament to both his aggressive style and his consistency.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, England white ball captain Jos Buttler sits atop the runscoring charts, with Faf du Plessis' 277 second to Buttler's 285. Heinrich Klaasen has shown a strong presence at the crease on his way to 259 runs and three fifties to boot. The other man to join the 200 run club so far is Sunrisers skipper Aidan Markram.
The leading wicket-taker currently is 38-year-old former South Africa international Roelof van der Merwe, who was only added into the Sunrisers lineup after the first two games. Since then, he has taken 14 wickets at an incredible average of just 7.78 and a miserly economy rate of 4.73.
Fellow left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin of the Paarl Royals has found success at the beginning of the innings. He has taken 13 wickets at a shade over 15 and has been tight in terms of his economy, going at just 6.28. The other top bowlers have been the express pace of Anrich Nortje, who has picked up 13 wickets as well at just 12.6 apiece and a low economy of 6.11, and his international teammate Lungi Ngidi. The latter has not picked up as many wickets, but his nine scalps are subsidised by an economy of just 6.39.
Evan Jones, Gerald Coetzee and Eathan Bosch are some of the young domestic players who have impressed, while the experience of Aaron Phangiso and Sisanda Magala have provided great assistance to their respective sides.
Who has been disappointing so far?
In a similar sense, openers Jason Roy and Reeza Hendricks have also struggled to get momentum going in the tournament. Both are striking at under 100 and have both only just made it to 100 runs in eight and seven innings respectively. Roy and Hendricks have, however, found some sort of form in the ODI series.
So too has Sam Curran, who has flattered to deceive with both bat and ball so far in the SA20 2023. Despite getting chances in the top order, he has managed just 67 runs in seven innings. His bowling performances at the recent t20 World Cup saw him crowned player of the tournament but so far he has taken just three wickets with an economy rate of 9.42.
Another all-rounder in Dwaine Pretorius has seen similar struggles. He has scored just 28 runs in six innings and, despite taking six wickets, he is going at more than ten an over. His teammate Jason Holder has also struggled with the ball and gone at over ten an over, taking just two wickets. He has also managed just 75 runs in seven innings, though he is averaging 25.
Is Liam Livingstone going to play in the SA20 2023?
The knee injury sustained in his Test debut against Pakistan has now officially ruled Liam Livingstone out of the SA20 2023. He will be replaced in the MI Cape Town squad by big-hitting Australian Tim David. Olly Stone, who played three times for MICT, will be replaced by fellow English quick Henry Brookes.
England players are not the only ones to be setting off for a Test series, with a couple of West Indies players also heading for the long form of the game. Alzarri Joseph, the impressive fast bowler for the Johannesburg Super Kings, is being replaced by Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.
Durban's Super Giants are set to lose two key members of their team in Kyle Mayers and Holder. They have, though, managed to line up two impressive almost like-for-like replacements. Another Aussie 'keeper, Ben McDermott will provide a much-needed right-hand option at the top of the order and England international David Willey will fill the all-round void left by Holder.
Also, former South Africa international and T20 globetrotter Colin Ingram has been drafted in to replace the outgoing Jacks for the Capitals.
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