South Africa’s T20 challenge gets under way on November 12, but it is weighed down by a fixing scandal, a dearth of superstars and a low profile
Firdose Moonda11-Nov-2016If a domestic T20 competition is not called “premier league”, takes place when a country’s national team is otherwise engaged and features only a handful of international superstars, does it even exist? That will be the question swirling around South Africa’s shortest-format domestic tournament which starts on November 12.This summer it is simply called the T20 challenge, after courier company RAM chose not to renew its sponsorship and CSA failed to find another corporate backer in time. The big companies can’t be blamed because the tournament is emerging out of the shadows of a fixing scandal in which five players were banned for between seven and twenty years. CSA maintains that no actual fixes were carried out, but it has been unable to put the issue to bed because the investigation is yet to be concluded. Perhaps until that happens, the integrity of this event hangs in the balance.The event is also jostling for relevance with higher-profile counterparts in other countries. Unlike the IPL, CPL, BBL or NatWest T20 blast, the South African T20 competition does not attract too many big names. The declining rand has a lot to do with it, but so does the timing. Currently, the only international sides not in action are Bangladesh and West Indies, which reduced the pool of players available for this competition. That the first half takes place with the Test side in Australia means even some of South Africa’s own internationals will be rare sightings at the competition.Thami Tsolekile and Jean Symes were among the players to be banned for their involvement in a fixing scandal that rocked the tournament•Getty ImagesWith all that in mind, CSA is mulling an overhaul to bring its T20 competition in line with those around the world. This winter, the board received a proposal for an eight-team tournament from the 2017-18 season. If approved, the new competition would either run alongside the current one, or replace it entirely and allow for a second-tier competition which will likely include the provincial semi-professional teams. For now though, the show will go on. Here is what to look forward to.TitansThe defending champions will be led by Albie Morkel, who put on a confident all-round display – 10 wickets at 13.30 and 198 runs at 39.60 – during their winning campaign last year but the focus is likely to be on another former international. Mark Boucher was appointed Titans’ coach and has enjoyed a strong start to his tenure. The Titans sit atop the first-class points table and they will want to translate that into shorter formats. They will have to do it without Quinton de Kock, who led the run charts last year but is with the Test squad in Australia. But they could welcome back Chris Morris, who was the leading wicket-taker but has been sidelined with a knee injury. On September 23, Morris was declared out for two months, which means he may miss the first three matches.DolphinsRunners-up last season, the Dolphins have the luxury of a superstar in their set-up. Kevin Pietersen, who has been hinting about his impending eligibility for South Africa ahead of a possible World T20 in 2018, will join them for the second half of the tournament, after commentary commitments in Australia. Pietersen played for them during the first half last season and almost single-handedly got them into the playoffs. He finished as the second leading run-scorer with 401 runs at 80.20, including two of the three hundreds scored.The other player to watch in their ranks is new international Andile Phehlukwayo. The allrounder debuted in South Africa’s five-match ODI series against Australia and finished as the leading wicket-taker.CobrasA franchise in turmoil following players’ unhappiness over the role of coach Paul Adams, the Cobras have had a miserable start to the season and lag well behind the other five franchises at the bottom of the first-class points table. The most interesting thing about their campaign will be whether the players follow through on their application for the right to strike.Richard Levi and Rory Kleinveldt are the Cobras’ big players, and both have recent form behind them in this format. The pair played for Northamptonshire and reached the final of the NatWest T20 Blast this winter. Kieron Pollard joins Levi and Kleinveldt in the experience department. Pollard was given an 11th-hour NOC from the WICB to play for the Cobras in the competition.Richard Levi will be one of Cobras’ key batsmen, but the players’ discontent with coach Paul Adams will also be in the spotlight•BCCIWarriorsThe Eastern-Cape franchise has not won a trophy since the 2009-10 season, when Russell Domingo was still in charge, and will fancy their chances of changing that in this competition. The Warriors have a wealth of young talent, including fast-bowler Sisanda Magala, who finished second on last season’s wicket-taking charts, and batsman Colin Ackermann, who has signed with Leicestershire from next season.But they have also been through some change. Following Colin Ingram’s decision not to lead the side, the captaincy is being shared between Simon Harmer in the longer format and JJ Smuts in shorter ones. Smuts captained Eastern Province to the Africa T20 Cup title earlier in the season and has also played in the CPL, so brings a fair amount of knowledge to the role.LionsHaving lost much of their core, including Dwaine Pretorius, to the national side, the Lions have a new look and a new leader for this tournament. National team spinner Aaron Phangiso has been put in charge, a curious choice given his disciplinary record, but one that lead to him blossoming with more responsibility. Phangiso was the third highest wicket-taker in the competition last season.He will be assisted by vice captain Nicky van den Bergh, who, along with Rassie van der Dussen, will have the job of most of the run-scoring. Under coach Geoffrey Toyana, the Lions have enjoyed success in every format over the last few seasons, but have dropped off slightly and will want to assert themselves again.KnightsOff-season acquisitions have got the Knights off to a fantastic start this season, and they sit second in the first-class competition. New captain Theunis de Bruyn has led from the front with the bat, while the inclusion of David Miller has added depth to the batting line-up. Marchant de Lange has been in fine form with ball in hand, and formed a dangerous duo with Duanne Olivier, which means the Knights have all their basis covered. Like the Warriors, the Knights have long waited to add to their trophy cabinet, and may be eyeing now as the time to do it.
