Latest news with #KagisoRabada
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
SA20 Auction: Big names join SA20 as blockbuster auction looms
After winning the SA20 with MICT, Kagiso Rabada is off to Pakistan to play for the Proteas in the ICC Champions Trophy. Photo: Sportzpics The defending Champions, MI Cape Town, have added Nicholas Pooran to their squad, roping in the left-handed batter from the Durban's Super Giants. Allah Ghazanfar, the latest addition to the long list of Afghanistan's mystery spinners, also joins the SA20 for the first time. He has signed with last season's runners-up Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC). Among the players who have been pre-signed for the upcoming season are West Indies all-rounders Andre Russell (Pretoria Capitals) and Sunil Narine (Durban's Super Giants), both who have sparkling T20 careers. This season, the SA20 barely clashes with any T20 leagues, meaning the world's top T20 cricketers are available to grace the South African cricket with their presence and skills. OVER the past three seasons, the SA20 has grown in leaps and bounds, and the upcoming fourth edition promises to be even bigger with some of the biggest names in franchise T20 cricket having committed to the league already. Proteas stars Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, George Linde and Corbin Bosch, along with former New Zealand quick Trent Boult, have kept their spots in the Newlands-based side. In other exciting news, heading into the auction, the two-time SA20-winning captain Aiden Markram has opted to enter the lucrative auction, opting not to take the pre-signing offer that the Sunrisers offered. Markram led the Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) to three consecutive SA20 finals, winning the first two editions before going down to MI Cape Town in the previous edition of the competition. The 30-year-old heads into the auction with the chance to play for a different franchise in the fourth edition of the tournament after his heroics for the 'Orange Army'. However, with the SA20 having introduced the Right to Match strategy this season, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape could retain the Proteas T20I captain by matching the winning bid. The Season 4 Auction is set to be a blockbuster event after the six franchises laid down an early squad marker with the announcement of the pre-signed and retained players for the upcoming SA20 campaign. Each of the teams were permitted a maximum of six retained or pre-signed players, comprising of a maximum of three South African and three overseas players during the player retention window, which closed on July 18. The teams also strategically completed their six Wildcard signings, with all the focus now on the remaining slots and the collective maximum purse of R131 million to be spent on the 84 available slots at the auction on September 9 in Johannesburg. For Season 4, a wildcard player could be any overseas player or a South African player who was part of the team's squad in Season 3. A complete list of players and remaining salary cap follows: Durban's Super Giants (R29.5 million) *Sunil Narine, *Noor Ahmad, *Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klaasen (Wildcard) Joburg Super Kings (R21.5 million) Faf du Plessis, *James Vince, *Akeal Hosein, *Richard Gleeson, Donovan Ferreira (Wildcard) MI Cape Town (R11.5 million) Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, *Rashid Khan, *Trent Boult, *Nicholas Pooran, Kagiso Rabada (Wildcard) Paarl Royals (R14.5 million) Lhuan-dre Pretorius, David Miller, Bjorn Fortuin, *Mujeeb Ur Rahman, *Sikandar Raza, Rubin Hermann (Wildcard) Pretoria Capitals (R32.5 million) *Will Jacks, *Sherfane Rutherford, *Andre Russell (Wildcard) Sunrisers Eastern Cape (R21.5 million) Tristan Stubbs, *Allah Ghazanfar, *Adam Milne, *Jonny Bairstow, Marco Jansen (Wildcard) *Indicates overseas players.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Franchises confirm 30 players for fourth season of SA20 league
The remaining 84 slots in the respective squads will be confirmed at the player auction in Johannesburg on 9 September. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been announced as a wildcard pick by defending champions MI Cape Town for next season's SA20 league. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images A total of 24 players have either been retained or pre-signed contracts with SA20 teams, while all six wildcard players have also been announced, ahead of next season's fourth edition of the popular T20 league. Each of the six franchises were permitted a maximum of six retained or pre-signed players, comprising a maximum of three South African and three overseas players, during the player retention window which closed last week. In addition, each franchise was allowed a wildcard pick, which could be any player who was part of the team's squad in season three. The list of 30 players, which were released on Wednesday, included 17 foreigners and 13 South Africans. Upcoming auction The remaining 84 slots in the respective squads were set to be confirmed at the player auction in Johannesburg on 9 September, where the franchises had a collective maximum purse of R131 million they could still spend on compiling their squads. Notable South African players available to be picked up at the auction include Proteas World Test Championship final heroes Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj, along with top young talent Dewald Brevis and Kwena Maphaka. T20 specialists Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi are also available. 'When the league first drafted its regulations in season one, we always saw this forthcoming season as an opportunity for a strategic reset, and this is exactly where we envisioned being,' said SA20 league commissioner Graeme Smith. 'There's now a strong balance between pre-signed and retained international and Proteas players, alongside a significant purse available for the auction. 'After three seasons, the franchises have developed a good understanding of the South Africa cricket ecosystem and adopted a distinct strategy which sets the stage for the most exciting auction yet.' The 2025/26 SA20 league will be held between 26 December and 26 January, shortly ahead of the T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka in February. Signed players and remaining salary caps Durban's Super Giants (R29.5 million): Sunil Narine, Noor Ahmad, Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klaasen (wildcard) Joburg Super Kings (R21.5 million): Faf Du Plessis, James Vince, Akeal Hosein, Richard Gleeson, Donovan Ferreira (wildcard) MI Cape Town (R11.5 million): Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Rashid Khan, Trent Boult, Nicholas Pooran, Kagiso Rabada (wildcard) Paarl Royals (R14.5 million): Lhuan-dre Pretorius, David Miller, Bjorn Fortuin, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sikandar Raza, Rubin Hermann (wildcard) Pretoria Capitals (R32.5 million): Will Jacks, Sherfane Rutherford, Andre Russell (Wildcard) Sunrisers Eastern Cape (R21,5 million): Tristan Stubbs, Allah Ghazanfar, Adam Milne, Jonny Bairstow, Marco Jansen (wildcard)
Int'l Cricket Council
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
ECB awarded hosting rights for the next three WTC Finals ICC World Test Championship
ECB will host the next three World Test Championship Finals following the successful hosting of the 2021, 2023 and most recent 2025 final. The first three editions of the WTC Final were held at different venues in England, with Lord's hosting the 2025 final where South Africa beat Australia by five wickets last month. South Africa beat Australia to seize the Ultimate Test | Full Match Highlights | WTC25 Final Watch the full match highlights as Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada led the way as South Africa bested the defending champions Australia to clinch the World Test Championship mace at Lord's. The decision was confirmed at the ICC's annual conference in Singapore this week and means the ECB will host the 2027, 2029 and 2031 finals following a successful track record in hosting recent finals. NewsICC World Test ChampionshipICC World Test Championship, 2025/27
Express Tribune
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
ICC names Aiden Markram men's player of the month
Listen to article South Africa's Aiden Markram has been named the ICC Men's Player of the Month for June 2025, following his match-winning performance in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia at Lord's. Markram edged out fellow nominees, his teammate Kagiso Rabada and Sri Lanka's top-order batter Pathum Nissanka, to claim the monthly honour. The 30-year-old opener played a crucial role in helping the Proteas lift their first senior ICC trophy in 27 years. He scored a magnificent 136 in the fourth innings of the WTC Final and also contributed with the ball, taking two important wickets, including that of Steve Smith, to set up a historic win for South Africa. Reacting to the award, Markram said: 'It is a privilege to receive this award. To contribute to an ICC World Test Championship win for our team and South Africa is something that means a lot to me. Winning the final at Lord's is a historic moment for South African cricket, and it is something we will all remember forever. This victory was only possible due to the combined efforts of the entire team, with crucial contributions from KG (Kagiso Rabada) and Tembs (Temba Bavuma).' Although Markram was dismissed for a duck in the first innings, he bounced back strongly in the second. Chasing a target of 282, he guided the Proteas through a tense fourth innings, showing composure and maturity. His partnerships with Wiaan Mulder and Temba Bavuma kept the innings steady, especially after the early loss of Ryan Rickelton. When Bavuma faced an injury scare during the chase, Markram offered constant support. He eventually departed after scoring 136, anchoring the innings with control and calmness. Before shining with the bat, Markram made a vital impact with the ball, breaking a strong partnership by dismissing Steve Smith with just his sixth delivery. He later removed Josh Hazlewood in the second innings to wrap up Australia's innings. This memorable performance helped South Africa clinch their maiden ICC World Test Championship title, and Markram's all-round efforts rightly earned him the ICC Men's Player of the Month award.
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Aiden Markram, Hayley Matthews named ICC Players of the Month for June
South Africa batter Aiden Markram and West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews were announced as the winners of the ICC Men's and Women's Player of the Month awards respectively for June 2025. Markram won the men's award ahead of teammate Kagiso Rabada and Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka for his Player of the Match effort in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia at Lord's. The 30-year-old opener struck a solid 136 off 207 balls and featured in a 147-run third-wicket stand with captain Temba Bavuma in a successful chase of 282. The five-wicket victory helped South Africa win an ICC title for the first time in 27 years. Markram also picked up a wicket each in both innings. Matthews, who has previously won the awards in November 2021, October 2023 and April 2024, edged South Africa's Tazmin Brits and compatriot Afy Fletcher to become only the second player to win the award four times after Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner. The West Indies skipper scored 104 runs in the three ODIs against South Africa, which included a half-century in the third match. She also grabbed four wickets in the series. Her fine run continued in the subsequent 2-1 T20I series win. She was named Player of the Series for her two fifties in an aggregate of 147 runs and two wickets. Markram said: 'It is a privilege to receive this award. To contribute to an ICC World Test Championship win for our team and South Africa is something that means a lot to me. 'Winning the final at Lord's is a historic moment for South African cricket, and it is something we will all remember forever. This victory was only possible due to the combined efforts of the entire team, with crucial contributions from KG (Kagiso Rabada) and Tembs (Temba Bavuma).' Matthews said: 'It's an honour to receive the Player of the Month award again. I've been pleased with my form recently, but more importantly, it's been great to contribute to the team's success—especially in a hard-fought T20I series against South Africa. 'Recognition like this is appreciated, but my focus remains on what's ahead. There's a lot more I want to achieve, both personally and with this team. We're heading in the right direction, and I'm excited about where we can go from here.' Both players were crowned following a vote conducted among global fans com and a specialist panel comprising former international players and media representatives.
