Seamer Nono Pongolo will captain the Central Gauteng Lions in this month’s Provincial T20 Cup.

Pongolo played for the title-winning Jozi Stars in last year’s inaugural edition of the Mzansi Super League. He was retained for R120,000 in last week’s player draft for the 2019 MSL.

The Lions’ squad also features Proteas leg-spinner Eddie Leie and the young Ryan Rickelton, who opened the batting alongside West Indian veteran Chris Gayle in the 2018 MSL.

‘The first ball of the 15-team CSA Provincial T20 Cup will be bowled this Friday,’ reads a statement from the CGL.

‘The Central Gauteng Lions find themselves grouped in pool A with Easterns, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Northerns. The CGL team includes franchise players Nono, Ryan, Dominic Hendricks and Delano Potgieter.

‘The rest of the squad includes Codi Yusuf, Bryce Parsons, Carmi le Roux, Joshua Richards, Shaylen Pillay, Mitchell Van Buuren, Ayavuya Myoli and Tumelo Tlhokwe.

‘The CGL will play their first game on Friday at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, against Easterns. The 15 teams have been divided into three pools at three venues.’

The tournament used to be called the Africa T20 Cup. Gauteng, who were captained by Proteas batsman Temba Bavuma last year, are the reigning champions.

Squad: Nono Pongolo (c), Dominic Hendricks (v-c), Ryan Rickelton, Delano Potgieter, Codi Yusuf, Bryce Parsons, Eddie Leie, Carmi le Roux, Joshua Richards, Shaylen Pillay, Mitchell Van Buuren, Ayavuya Myoli and Tumelo Tlhokwe, Sandile Masengemi (head coach) and Bongani Zibane (assistant coach).

Photo: Gallo Images