The Paarl Rocks purchased former Proteas batsman JP Duminy in the first round of Tuesday’s player draft for the 2019 Mzansi Super League.
Fast bowler Hardus Viljoen joined the Rocks, too. He represented the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League earlier this year, and was a late addition to the St Lucia Zouks’ squad for this month’s Caribbean Premier League.
The Rocks finished in third position in last year’s six-team MSL, after five wins and as many defeats.
They had initially announced England all-rounder David Willey as the international marquee player for this season. Willey has since been ruled out of the tournament due to workload management by the England and Wales Cricket Board and replaced by Sri Lanka all-rounder Isuru Udana.
‘We are very excited to get a player of Isuru’s calibre who was Sri Lanka’s star player during their T20I series against the Proteas earlier this year,’ said Cricket South Africa acting director of cricket Corrie van Zyl.
‘He was a regular choice for Sri Lanka throughout the recent World Cup, which included his playing a crucial role in his country’s upset 20-run win over England. One of his two wickets was that of England captain Eoin Morgan.’
Proteas captain Faf du Plessis will continue to be their local marquee player. Sextet Henry Davids, Cameron Delport, Bjorn Fortuin, Aiden Markram, Mangaliso Mosehle and Tabraiz Shamsi have been retained.
Squad: Faf du Plessis, Isuru Udana (Sri Lanka), JP Duminy, Tabraiz Shamsi (retained player), Hardus Viljoen, Aiden Markram (retained player), Bjorn Fortuin (retained player), James Vince (England), Dwaine Pretorius, Cameron Delport (retained player), Sibonelo Makhanya, Henry Davids (retained player), Mangaliso Mosehle (retained player), Ferisco Adams, Kerwin Mungroo.
Photo: Gallo Images
