Prenelan Subrayen has been added to the Durban Heat squad for the 2018 Mzansi Super League, whose fixture schedule kicks off on 18 November.
Durban all-rounder Subrayen will act as cover for two spinners who will only be joining the team later in the tournament.
With star Afghan spinner Rashid Khan only due to arrive in December and Zimbabwean spinner Brandon Mavuta also joining the squad midway through the campaign, coach Grant Morgan felt the need for an extra spinner, and turned to the trusty Tongaat-born Subrayen.
‘Subs is the ideal man to slot into this gap,’ said Morgan of the 25-year-old spinner, who has taken 39 T20 wickets at an average of 25.44 and bats at a strike rate of 119.33.
‘He was always figuring in our plans since before the draft, as he ticks all the boxes. He is an excellent white-ball bowler, he bats really well and he is a very good fielder.
‘Just as important to us, we really want to give these opportunities to our loyal players, so I am over the moon to be able to add him to our squad.
‘He has fully recovered from the finger injury he picked up recently and came through his last match well,’ said Morgan.
‘He sometimes misses out when Imran Tahir is with us and we don’t pick three spinners, so it is great to get him involved with the Durban Heat,’ he added.
‘I am so happy to be added to the Durban Heat squad,’ said Subrayen. ‘As a Durban guy, I was naturally hoping to make the Durban Heat franchise, and I really want to be able to contribute wherever I can.
‘I will treat it as just another game. I get the same butterflies when I walk on to the field.
‘I am excited for this tournament because I think it will take white-ball cricket in this country to a whole new level,’ he said.
He added that he was looking forward to seeing the Durban cricket fans rallying behind the team.
‘As players, we love that vibe that a big crowd brings to Kingsmead, and I am sure our home games are going to be like that,’ he added.
Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketpro.co.za and at Kingsmead Stadium.
Durban Heat Fixtures
18 Nov 11:00 – Durban Heat vs Cape Town Blitz – Kingsmead, Durban
21 Nov 14:00 – Durban Heat vs Tshwane Spartans – Kingsmead, Durban
23 Nov 19:00 – Nelson Mandela Giants vs Durban Heat – St George’s, Port Elizabeth
28 Nov 19:00 – Durban Heat vs Paarl Rocks – Kingsmead, Durban
30 Nov 19:00 – Jozi Stars vs Durban Heat – Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
02 Dec 11:00 – Paarl Rocks vs Durban Heat – Boland Park, Paarl
05 Dec 19:00 – Durban Heat vs Nelson Mandela Giants – Kingsmead, Durban
07 Dec 14:00 – Durban Heat vs Jozi Stars – Kingsmead, Durban
09 Dec 15:30 – Cape Town Blitz vs Durban Heat – Newlands, Cape Town
12 Dec 19:00 – Tshwane Spartans vs Durban Heat – SuperSport Park, Centurion
Durban Heat Squad
Hashim Amla
Rashid Khan
David Miller
Heinrich Klaasen
Kyle Abbott
Keshav Maharaj
Khaya Zondo
Albie Morkel
Marchant de Lange
Vernon Philander
Brandon Mavuta
Temba Bavuma
Morné van Wyk
Okuhle Cele
Sarel Erwee
Tladi Bokako
Prenelan Subrayen
Photo: Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images
