Maheesh Theekshana (International)
In the absence of a genuine wrist spinner, a vital ingredient for most successful T20 teams, the Super Kings opted for the next best thing – many will say something just as good – and that is a ‘mystery’ spinner. Maheesh Theekshana is essentially an offspinner but he is also so much more than that.
Being taller than the average spinner means he gets extra bounce which makes him well-suited to the Wanderers but bounce is just one weapon in his arsenal of tricks. Subtle changes are par for the course for a bowler of his calibre but Carrom balls, sliders and even the spinner’s version of the knuckleball keep the batsmen guessing – and second-guessing – all the time.
Theekshana’s boyhood dream of becoming a cricketer may never have happened without the Sri Lankan army which helped him lose over 20 kg and whose head coach, Ajantha Mendis, was the original, modern-day mystery finger spinner. Still only 22 years old, Jo’burg Super Kings were confident enough in their choice of spinner to snap him up before the Player Auction even took place.
Harry Brook (International)
Anybody who gets close to the England T20 squad has to be an exceptional talent but 23-year-old Harry Brook did better than that nailing down a regular spot in the middle order during England’s triumphant run to the World Cup glory in Australia in late 2022.
The fast-scoring Yorkshireman is especially proficient against quicker bowling with an especially pleasing straight drive but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t play the horizontal bat shots any less productively. He enjoyed a stellar 2020 Blast campaign for his county averaging 55 at a strike rate of 163 but then endured a torrid BBL season with the Hobart Hurricanes during which he averaged less than 10. After that experience, he threw off the shackles and adopted the fearless approach which has made him such a feared opponent now.
A former England under-19 captain there was a time when Brook also offered some gentle medium-pace as an extra string to his bow but the thought of what might happen if he faced himself was enough to persuade him to stick to batting.
Faf du Plessis (Capped)
The former Proteas captain remains as intense as ever on the field but has mellowed considerably off it – until anybody dares to suggest he might be getting a bit long in the tooth at the age of 38. He remains one of, if not the fittest member of every squad he is in and completely dedicated not just to maintaining the standards he has set for himself, but to improving.
His 8000+ T20 career runs place him in the top 25 on the all-time list and he has every intention of moving further up that list with two years remaining on his IPL contract with the Royal Challengers Bangalore and further participation expected in the PSL and CPL.
Having won two IPL titles with the Chennai Super Kings the ‘dream team’ reunites in yellow under long-time CSK coaches Stephen Fleming and Eric Simons with Albie Morkel also joining the coaching staff. Having retired from test and ODI cricket du Plessis had wanted to remain available for the Proteas in the T20 format but a suitable contracting format could not be found. The SA20 will be an opportunity to show SA fans what might have been.
Reeza Hendricks (Capped)
Rarely will a player be remembered so well for not playing in a World Cup as the 33-year-old opener who was in the form of his life before the T20 showpiece having scored two 70s, two 50s and 43 in his previous five T20I innings. But typical of the man, he never complained and loyally fulfilled his duties as a squad member.
But the SA20 will be his chance to shine, on his home ground, although he may have to bat at No 3 if Faf du Plessis and Janneman Malan open the innings. But the fact that JSK were prepared to pay R4.5 million for Hendricks strongly suggests that they have no plans to use him as a drinks waiter.
A career strike rate of 126 is seriously misleading as he has added new shots to his repertoire every year and has scored at closer to 150 for the last three years at both domestic and international level. Not only has Hendricks been a consistent run-scorer for many years, he’s also a winner scoring 412 runs in eight innings during the Jozi Stars' march to the inaugural Mzansi Super League title. Aesthetics aren’t important in T20 cricket, but for those who do appreciate some style along with batting muscle Hendricks is the man for you.
Donovan Ferreira (uncapped)
It is a measure of the research and local knowledge applied to the inaugural SA20 Player Auction that 24-year-old Ferreira became the subject of a bidding war which ultimately saw him sold for an eye-watering R5.5 million despite playing just 19 games for the Titans. His base price was the minimum R175 000.
Those games were more than enough for the Affies boy to display his prodigious talent averaging almost 55 at a strike rate of 148. When he isn’t keeping wicket, which is the main second string to his bow, he bowls very respectable medium pace or off-spin and has seven wickets at an economy rate of just 7.3 to prove it.
He showed exactly why JSK believed he was worth the investment during the final of the CSA T20 Challenge when he belted a match-winning 40 from just 25 balls against the Dolphins and kept his nerve to steer the champions out of deep trouble at 98-5 to a winning total of 165-6. Donovan Ferreira will impress!