NPR

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 5:35 am Bavuma will be a political correct choice like Kolisi. Good luck to him.

Big Nipper wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 5:38 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 5:35 am Bavuma will be a political correct choice like Kolisi. Good luck to him.

He seems very likeable and level headed, and was one of our top 2 batsmen the last 12 months

I think he will become very handy still, and increase his stats in all format

Big Nipper wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 5:38 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 5:35 am Bavuma will be a political correct choice like Kolisi. Good luck to him.

He seems very likeable and level headed, and was one of our top 2 batsmen the last 12 months

I think he will become very handy still, and increase his stats in all format

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 10:02 pm

Big Nipper wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 5:38 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 5:35 am Bavuma will be a political correct choice like Kolisi. Good luck to him.

He seems very likeable and level headed, and was one of our top 2 batsmen the last 12 months

I think he will become very handy still, and increase his stats in all format

When is the last time a Proteas captain improved his stats after being captain? Graham Smith a decade ago?

Expect Bavuma to start playing shit cricket.

Rinkals wrote: ↑Sat Mar 06, 2021 7:39 am I can't understand Sandy's remark.

Is he suggesting that we don't have a skipper?

Bavuma does ok as captain of the Lions, I can't see why he wouldn't do the same for the Proteas.

The other option would probably be Markram, but any loss in form for him with the captaincy would be terminal.

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:13 am

Rinkals wrote: ↑Sat Mar 06, 2021 7:39 am I can't understand Sandy's remark.

Is he suggesting that we don't have a skipper?

Bavuma does ok as captain of the Lions, I can't see why he wouldn't do the same for the Proteas.

The other option would probably be Markram, but any loss in form for him with the captaincy would be terminal.

Yes, that’s exactly what I’m suggesting!!

No, I said we should expect his form to dip.

Big Nipper wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 12:38 pm I see that our future captain and nailed on 10 000 career test runs, Raynard van Tonder, made 51 today

When can we get him into the test team? The man is all class

Rinkals wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 1:07 pm

Big Nipper wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 12:38 pm I see that our future captain and nailed on 10 000 career test runs, Raynard van Tonder, made 51 today

When can we get him into the test team? The man is all class

I saw his wicket go down this afternoon. A lapse of concentration saw him spoon the part-time spinner into the hands of slip.

I wouldn't write him off just yet, but it's not a good sign.

Mind you, he made more than Elgar and Markram combined.

Big Nipper wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 1:24 pm

Rinkals wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 1:07 pm

Big Nipper wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 12:38 pm I see that our future captain and nailed on 10 000 career test runs, Raynard van Tonder, made 51 today

When can we get him into the test team? The man is all class

I saw his wicket go down this afternoon. A lapse of concentration saw him spoon the part-time spinner into the hands of slip.

I wouldn't write him off just yet, but it's not a good sign.

Mind you, he made more than Elgar and Markram combined.

Jesus Christ, the oke makes one mistake at age 22 after averaging well into the 60s and you almost write him off

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 8:09 pm Rinky always has to look on the bleak side of life.

Boland rewarded for impressive ’cricket culture’ in revamped domestic structure
By Zaahier Adams Time of article published 13h ago


CAPE TOWN - Boland chief executive James Fortuin says his union’s elevation to elite status in South African domestic cricket yesterday is the culmination of a “17-year process”.

After months of deliberation, Cricket SA finally ratified its new first-class structure with the shelving of the former six-team franchise system in favour of a new 15-team organisation.


The 15 teams will be split into two divisions with eight teams in Division 1 and seven in Division 2.

Boland will be joined by fellow newbies North West alongside traditional powerhouses Eastern Province, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal Coastal, Northerns and Western Province.

Division 2 will be made up of South Western Districts, Easterns, KwaZulu-Natal Inland, Border,


Limpopo, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga.

All teams will retain their positions in the respective divisions for the first two seasons. Promotion and relegation will take place between the tiers thereafter.

“It has been a 17-year process trying to do the right things right. The Mzansi Super League has, of course, helped by providing a shop window for us to showcase what we’re trying to do here in Boland,” Fortuin said.


“In this regard, we have to thank the people of Boland that have come out to Boland Park to passionately support the Paarl Rocks.

“I am sure that once spectators are allowed back in the stadiums they will show even greater support for their very own Boland team.”

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Former Proteas wicket-keeper and ICC chief executive David Richardson, who headed a task team that oversaw the domestic restructuring, was impressed with the “cricket culture” in the Boland.

“They have a tremendous fan base there. They have a love of cricket there along with a strong culture. They have ambitions when it comes to the development of their stadium.

“Their development pathways are excellent and they produce results,” Richardson said.

Boland have long been a rich source of talent, providing players to the Proteas, the local Cape Cobras, and also to the various franchises around the country.

They also have an outstanding transformation record with former national players such as Henry Williams, Charl Langeveldt, Roger Telemachus and Justin Ontong all hailing from the winelands region.

Fortuin is hoping that with the union once again being able to offer “A section cricket” that locally born players that sought greener pastures over the years will now return to their homeland.

“We will focus on the two brands, Paarl Rocks and Boland Cricket, with equal enthusiasm. And like we saw with MSL, when the Paarl Rocks were crowned champions the people of Boland love a winning team,” he said.

“With Boland, we therefore want to re-establish the brand around experienced players while building regional pride.

“We therefore hope that the likes of Keegan Petersen and Bjorn Fortuin, who all started their cricket here, will come back and play in front of their familes and friends.”

Cape Town - Cricket fans love statistics. Probably on the same level as American sport fanatics.

Here’s one to chew on: David Miller faced just 33 balls in last year’s ICC T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. In the same competition Kagiso Rabada faced 30 balls.

If you were wondering the reason for Miller’s lack of balls was due to him getting out cheaply in the UAE that was simply not the case. He was only dismissed twice in three innings.

He utilised 18 balls for 16 runs in the opening game against Australia in Abu Dhabi. Did not bat in the eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in Dubai. Collared Sri Lanka with a match-winning 26 not out off just 13 balls before taking just two balls to get the Proteas over the line against Bangladesh. His services were not required against England in the final group game in Sharjah.

ALSO READ: ‘It’s fantastic to win an IPL title’, says Gary Kirsten

That’s a cumulative total of just 5.3 overs in a competition the Proteas were squeezed out of the semi-finals on net run-rate.

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Now take a look at this season’s Indian Premier League. Miller faced 337 balls in the 16 times he walked to the crease for the Gujarat Titans. He blasted a career-best 481 runs at an average of 68.71 and 142.72 strike-rate.

The Gujarat Titans won the IPL championship on Sunday with Miller playing crucial roles in both the playoff (68 not out off 38 balls) and final ( 32 not out off 19 balls).

And before anyone jumps to the conclusion that the Titans top-order did not fire allowing Miller to come to the crease earlier, it is worth noting that opener Shubman Gill contributed contributed 483 runs from the 366 balls he faced, while captain Hardik Pandya struck 487 from his 371 balls.

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It therefore doesn’t take a neurosurgeon to work out the impact Miller can potentially have when utilised correctly.

There has been an argument in the past that Miller does not fare well against spin. During IPL 2022 his strike-rate of 145.07 facing spin was higher than pace (141.02). He struck 206 runs off the 142 balls faced, hitting eight boundaries and 14 sixes in the process.

"I've worked really hard but I haven't felt like a player that's struggled against spin. But it's an area that I have had to improve," Miller said. "In the last 3 to 4 years, I feel like I've changed my mindset against spin. It's about making sure that I impose myself when there's a bad ball. I am looking to score every ball but if there's a bad ball, I am in the best position to put it away. It creates a bit of pressure on the bowler instead of the bowler just bowling in and settling down.”

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This new “mindset” was none clearer than in the final. With the Titans requiring 34 off 30 balls, Rajasthan Royals skipper rolled the dice by recalling premier spinner Ravi Ashwin into the attack in the hope of getting a breakthrough.

The crafty off-spinner ramped up the pressure by setting an attacking field to the left-handed Miller by inserting a slip and short cover.

Miller’s response was emphatic. The very first ball he faced was dispatched high into the record 105 000-strong crowd over mid-wicket for six. Game Over!

"This particular IPL I've just been working on my swing and my rhythm. And the tempo of my swing. I've just been grooving that swing of mine. Whenever I am training, I am always thinking about the game scenario. Every single ball I face in the nets, I am always thinking about where the fielders will be, and what situation I will be in,” he said.

"It's one of those things mentally I've tried to improve. It's also more about the games I've played. I've been backed right from the start of the season and played all the games. It's been enjoyable that I am not in and out and I've managed to build something and keep my confidence going. As a player, if you are looked after well off the field, then you feel you can be yourself.”

Miller will have a few days off to enjoy celebrating the Titan’s IPL success before rejoining his Proteas teammates for a bumper five-match T20I series against hosts India next week.

It will be interesting to see whether the Proteas brainstrust consisting of coach Mark Boucher and captain Temba Bavuma have learnt anything from Titans’ utilisation of Miller, especially with former Proteas coach Gary Kirsten being part of the Titans coaching staff and just a phone call away.

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 6:40 am Miller developed into a world class hitter.

FalseBayFC wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 7:14 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 6:40 am Miller developed into a world class hitter.

The Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced that the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners have bought all the six teams in the upcoming T20 League of South Africa which is scheduled to start in January 2023.

Reliance Industries Limited (Mumbai Indians owner), Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (Chennai Super Kings owner), Royals Sports Group (Rajasthan Royals owner), JSW Sports (Delhi Capitals co-owner), RPSG Sports Private Limited (Lucknow Super Giants owner) and Sun TV Network Limited (Sunrisers Hyderabad owner) won the bids for the six franchises.

"The six franchise owners for South Africa's T20 League have been confirmed following a rigorous process over the past few months," Cricket South Africa said in its release.

"The open bid process, managed by Deloitte Corporate Finance, attracted over 29 entities who expressed interest in owning a franchise worldwide. Over 10 venues were made available for interested bidders to own a franchise and all 10 of them received expressions of interest," the statement added.

Reliance's new team will be based out of Newlands, Cape Town, while Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited will have its team in Wanderers, Johannesburg. RPSG Sports will have their team in Kingsmead, Durban, Sun TV Network's team will be in St George’s Park, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), and Royals Sports Group's team will be based out of Boland Park, Paarl. JSW Sports's team will be in SuperSport Park, Pretoria.

"We are thrilled to welcome our new franchise owners to the South African League taking place in January and February 2023. This is truly an exciting time for South African cricket; the overwhelming interest shows that the country remains valued in the global cricketing eco-system," the new league's commissioner Graeme Smith said.

318 players will go under the hammer in the inaugural SA20 player auction set to be held in Cape Town on 19 September.

More than 500 players registered their interest, with the list cut down following the submission of shortlists from the six franchises.

Despite being owned by an Indian Premier League franchise, there will be no Indian players competing in the inaugural tournament.

Other countries represented include Zimbabwe, Scotland, Afghanistan, Ireland, Hong Kong, USA, Netherlands and Namibia.

"We are thrilled with the interest received from the cricket community to be a part of the SA20," said SA20 League Commissioner, Graeme Smith.

"The final list of players has an exciting mix of international stars, the class of Proteas players and upcoming talent waiting to make a name for themselves on a global stage. We are looking forward to the auction and seeing how the squads are formed for this exciting first edition of the SA20."

The auction will start at 14:00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.