Millions of rands were spent at Wednesday’s Mzansi Super League player draft. Some teams got better value for money than others.
Priceless Piedt
- The Cape Town Blitz signed Cape Cobras spinner and captain Dane Piedt for R50,000 – a cheap price for a talented cricketer of seven Test matches among 100 first-class appearances.
Valuable Verreynne
- Cape Cobras wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne went to the Cape Town Blitz for R75,000. When marquee Proteas player Quinton de Kock is touring Australia for three ODIs and a T20I, Verreynne will be the only specialist wicketkeeper in the squad.
‘Return on investment’ Raza
- The Tshwane Spartans have a relatively inexpensive gem in spinning all-rounder Sikandar Raza. Secured for R100,000 he has a point to prove in the wake of a recent fallout with Zimbabwe Cricket.
‘Deliverables’ Delport
- The Paarl Rocks’ R120,000 is a cheap for the hard-hitting Cameron Delport, who boasts experience in the Indian Premier League, Caribbean Premier League, Afghanistan Premier League and others.
Evenhanded Elgar
- Batsman Dean Elgar’s recent return to the ODI squad, albeit as injury cover, showed that the Test match opener has plenty to offer in limited-overs competition. The Tshwane Spartans bought him for just R150,000.
‘Money for jam’ Mavuta
- The Durban Heat invested R180,000 in Brandon Mavuta, after the Zimbabwe leg-spinner impressed against the Proteas recently. He offers a bit with the bat, too.
Moneyed McLaren
- The Nelson Mandela Bay Giants were acutely aware of Chris Morris’ popularity with the national selectors – and duly purchased a secondary all-rounder in Ryan McLaren for R200,000.