Cricket’s post-IPL international window is creaking open with England playing New Zealand in a three-test series and a weakened Australian men’s side slumping to ODI series defeats against Pakistan and Bangladesh. There is, of course, also the Women’s T20 World Cup to look forward to.
South Africa’s men will remain scattered around the world for the next few months as many of the Proteas take part in England’s T20 Blast, America’s MLC and The Hundred before a bumper international season starts at the end of September with three ODIs against Australia followed by three tests.
A full format series against Bangladesh follows in November, including two tests, before England arrive for the highlight of the summer with three tests and a three ODIs before the SA20 once again dominates the holiday season in January.
Behind the scenes, however, South Africa’s 15 provinces have been working hard to rebuild and shape their squads for the next domestic season and the restructured requirements have seen a number of interesting moves. Fewer professional places have seen some of the country’s most talented players seeking moves to second division teams simply to guarantee playing time.
20-year-old batting protégé, Steve Stolk, has taken the prudent/risky decision to leave the Titans and join Northern Cape in Division Two in order to make sure he plays every game available while the equally exciting batter, Slade van Staden, has taken a ‘step down’ by leaving the Dolphins for life in Oudtshoorn with the SWD Badgers.
Another prominent player heading in the same direction is Janneman Malan, ICC Emerging Player of the Year just three years ago, whose career has stalled frustratingly with North West. Another player, seamer Abdallah Bayoumy, who made a strong impression with WP has gambled on a contract with Limpopo.
The Titans, as always in recent years, have been the ‘players choice’ but two stalwarts were deemed in excess of requirements so Neil Brand and Lizaad Williams are moving to the Winelands with Boland.
SOME SENIORS SQUEEZED OUT
Some senior players have been squeezed out of the game by the constricted places available – and increased professional standards: Sisanda Magala was released by the Knights with CEO Johan van Heerden admitting: “You wouldn’t back him to bowl 10 overs in a day and I don’t think his fitness levels are up to division one standard.” Magala played eight T20Is and six ODIs for the Proteas between 2021 and 2023.
The Knights have reinforced their top order with the signing of Jono Bird from Western Province and have also bolstered their spin attack with the consistent legspinner Junaid Dawood from the Titans. Opening batter Bird was long regarded as an international prospect after a record-breaking junior career but his career has stalled in Cape Town. A change of scenery may be the jolt he needs.
Former Proteas left-armer, Beuran Hendricks, was even more jolted by his release from Western Province but wily Warriors coach, Robin Peterson, knew a good ‘discard’ when he saw him and was quick to offer a return route. Sibonelo Makhanya (Titans) and Andile Mokgakane (Tuskers) have also been snapped up by the Warriors.
Keith Dudgeon and Grant Roelofsen have returned to the Dolphins from Boland while the KZN franchise have released a number of their previously contracted players:
“We would love to retain all our players but we understand that players need to learn and grow and that sometimes has to come in different environments,” said Dolphins CEO, Heinrich Strydom.
The Tuskers, meanwhile, having been relegated to the second division, have released senior internationals Wayne Parnell and Hardus Viljoen along with seamer Renaldo Meyer and allrounder Sean Whitehead:
“We had to carefully consider the new regulations, including the requirement of having no more than three contracted players over the age of 29, as well as fielding three under-25 players in the starting XI,” said Tuskers CEO, Jason Sathiaseeelan.
South African domestic cricket may be struggling as never before for relevance and an audience, with national selection now geared more towards under-19 and ‘A’ team performances, but the provinces are still fighting tooth-and-nail to be competitive for a season with increased fixtures. And, hopefully, increased audience and attention. There are more cricketers than ever before with a point to prove.