KNOW YOUR TEAM: MI CAPE TOWN

Despite being blessed with an abundance of superstar internationals, MI Cape Town still flattered to deceive in Betway SA20 Season 1.

The team delivered all the high notes in the historic tournament opening victory over neighbours Paarl Royals at a sold out Newlands with wunderkid Dewald Brevis living up to the hype.

Unfortunately they were unable to maintain the momentum and ultimately missed out on semi-final qualification.

Season 2 promises to offer much more for the Newlands faithful with former Proteas all-rounder Robin Peterson, who previously fulfilled the role of General Manager, taking over the head coaching duties from Australian Simon Katich. Peterson offers vast experience of the local set-up, both in terms of intimate knowledge of the local players and also the conditions at the various venues around the country. He also has the experience of recently guiding MI New York to the inaugural Major League Cricket title and will be looking for a repeat performance, especially with the Season 2 final scheduled for Newlands.

Peterson has already made major changes by adding his MI New York-winning captain Kieron Pollard to the Season 2 roster - as a stand-in while Rashid Khan completes duties elsewhere. Pollard has fond memories of Newlands too, having previously starred in the 2014 CSA T20 competition final for the local Cape Cobras. Along with regulars such as Afghanistan’s Khan, English duo Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone along with Proteas Kagiso Rabada, George Linde and Rassie van der Dussen, it is looking much more promising for MI Cape Town in Season 2.

COACHING STAFF

Robin Peterson (head coach), Hashim Amla (batting coach), Lasith Malinga (SL - bowling coach), James Pamment (NZ - fielding coach)

SEASON 2 SQUAD

Jofra Archer (ENG - Wildcard), Tom Banton (ENG), Chris Benjamin (ENG), Dewald Brevis, Sam Curran (ENG), Connor Esterhuizen, Beuran Hendricks, Duan Jansen, Thomas Kaber, Rashid Khan (AFG – captain), George Linde, Liam Livingstone (ENG), Kieron Pollard (WI – stand-in), Delano Potgieter, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Grant Roelofsen, Olly Stone (ENG), Rassie van der Dussen, Nealan van Heerden.

New signings: Tom Banton (ENG – pre-signing), Kieron Pollard (WI – pre-signing), Chris Benjamin (ENG – auction), Nealan van Heerden (auction), Thomas Kaber (auction), Connor Esterhuizen (rookie).

Outs: Ziyaad Abrahams, Wesley Marshall, Waqar Salamkheil (AFG), Odean Smith (WI), Tim David (AUS), Henry Brookes (ENG).