All six Betway SA20 teams have announced an exciting line-up of wildcard picks for the maiden competition set to start on 10 January 2023.
The six Betway SA20 franchise teams were given the opportunity to sign a wildcard player to add to their squads after the inaugural auction was completed. Teams were allowed to sign a South African or an overseas player until the 31 December deadline.
There has been a heavy influence of acquiring cricketers with local knowledge of the conditions with four of the teams opting for South African-based players.
MI Cape Town broke the trend by signing England superstar fast bowler Jofra Archer, with the 2019 World Cup-winning hero set to debut in the League opener against Paarl Royals at Newlands, while Durban's Super Giants have recruited Sri Lankan mystery spinner Akila Dananjaya.
One of the fiercest fast bowlers in the world... ??
— MI Cape Town (@MICapeTown) December 30, 2022
How many sticks do you think @JofraArcher is picking up this season???#onefamily #micapetown pic.twitter.com/jODHJEngKv
The local talent is headlined by Proteas Men’s allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo, with the 26-year-old set to join his former national teammate JP Duminy’s side at Boland Park.
Phehlukwayo is an experienced international cricketer that has played four test matches, 74 ODI’s and 38 T20Is for the Proteas.
He is particularly adept with the ball where his skill-set that includes a well-disguised slower ball is tailor-made for the conditions in Paarl.
?? BREAKING NEWS ??
— Werner (@Werries_) December 30, 2022
Andile Phehlukwayo has been picked up by the Paarl Royals as their Wildcard pick for the SA20#SA20 pic.twitter.com/fwOBL7y6zZ
The Joburg Super Kings have also opted for an experienced campaigner by bringing former Proteas international spinner Aaron Phangiso back to the Wanderers.
Phangiso played 21 ODIs and 16 T20Is for the Proteas, and remains one of the most economical spinners in the shortest format of the game with an economy of just 7.77.
There has been a heavy focus on spin with Pretoria Capitals also adding Senuran Muthusamy to their squad. Muthusamy, who is also a useful lower-order batter, played two test matches for South Africa.
Our Wildcard pick, Senuran Muthusamy had a dream run at the CSA #1DayCup ??
— Pretoria Capitals (@PretoriaCapsSA) December 27, 2022
Trust him to carry his form into the #Betway #SA20 ?? pic.twitter.com/A4BrQday4x
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape have, though, continued their investment in young talent with the acquisition of the talented Jordan Hermann. The 21-year-old has been in prolific form this season and is well-acquainted with the St George’s Park pitch.
FULL LIST OF WILDCARD SIGNINGS
MI Cape Town: Jofra Archer (England)
Joburg Super Kings: Aaron Phangiso
Durban Super Giants: Akila Dananjaya (Sri Lanka)
Eastern Cape Sunrisers: Jordan Hermann
Pretoria Capitals: Senuran Muthusamy
Paarl Royals: Andile Phehlukwayo