Back-to-back champions the Sunrisers Eastern Cape will kickstart the new SA20 season when they welcome MI Cape Town to their Gqeberha backyard on Thursday.
With tickets for the match sold out online, it is expected to be a rousing atmosphere with “The Orange Army” and the famed St George’s Park brass band.
Sunrisers coach Adrian Birrell has managed to retain the core of his championship-winning team with the two leading wicket-takers in SA20 history Ottneil Baartman and Marco Jansen set to lead the attack again.
The super-charged batting unit will also once again be powered by captain Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs.
But like any successful team, the Sunrisers have not rested on their laurels by luring 2023 match-winner Roelof van der Merwe back to St George’s Park along with the recruitment of England internationals Zak Crawley, Richard Gleeson and Craig Overton to bolster the squad even further.
“Obviously after the first season and having won the competition, it’s great to be back, and hopefully we can do that again,” said Van der Merwe.
“Leaving for a season and coming back, I’ve really got to work for my spot and put my hand up when I have an opportunity.
“I think SA20 is something special in terms of the crowds. The cricket is good and with the international players coming here, the SA20 is really growing in profile.
“I think Adi [Birrell] has also brought a real meaning to us playing the game. There’s a lot of passionate supporters here and you can see how they conduct themselves with the band. It’s unbelievable how vibey they are.”
MI Cape Town, meanwhile, will be eager to start on a positive note in the season opener to fill the team with much-needed confidence after a couple of disappointing seasons.
Robin Peterson’s team will once again have no shortage of talent and world-class individuals with New Zealand’s premier swing bowler Trent Boult set to partner Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada with the new ball.
Equally, the vastly experienced Proteas white-ball opener Reeza Hendricks has made the switch from the Joburg Super Kings to MI Cape Town where he will link up with his long-time batting partners Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen.
“I’m thrilled to be here, I’m excited to be in blue. I can’t wait to get stuck in,” Hendricks said. “It’s nice coming into a new environment with faces you kind of know and guys you’ve played with. That helps fitting in and being part of the squad.
“So, fitting in and having those guys around makes it a lot easier. It’s good to play with them again. I’ve spent a lot of time domestically playing with them, so hopefully we can do some good things.”
Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Aiden Markram (c), Zak Crawley (England), Jordan Hermann, Tom Abell (England), Liam Dawson (England), Marco Jansen, Patrick Kruger, Craig Overton (England), David Bedingham, Daniel Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Okuhle Cele, Simon Harmer, Ottneil Baartman, Richard Gleeson (England), Caleb Seleka, Andile Simelane, Beyers Swanepoel, Roelof van der Merwe (Netherlands).
MI Cape Town: Chris Benjamin (England), Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Connor Esterhuizen, Delano Potgieter, Reeza Hendricks, Colin Ingram, Tristan Luus, Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Rashid Khan (c, Afghanistan), Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult (New Zealand), Nuwan Thushara (Sri Lanka), Dane Piedt.
