SIX STARS SET TO LIGHT UP BETWAY SA20 OPENER AT ST GEORGE'S PARK

Betway SA20 season 2 gets underway at St George’s Park today when the defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape host Joburg Super Kings in the tournament opener.

We profile six superstars that are set to light up Gqeberha tonight.

Marco Jansen - Sunrisers Eastern Cape

The Proteas all-rounder is expected to play a major role for the Sunrisers with ball and bat in this competition. He was the catalyst for their turnaround last season when he destroyed MI Cape Town’s star leg-spinner Rashid Khan in one over to kickstart the Sunrisers’ successful campaign. With Sisanda Magala ruled out through injury, Jansen will have to also take greater responsibility with the ball. 

Reeza Hendricks - Joburg Super Kings

The classy right-hander is among the most in-form T20 batters in the world. Hendricks has struck seven half-centuries in his last 13 T20I innings, with scores of 42, 42 and 49 in three further innings. Unlike most T20 opening batters, Hendricks does not use power but instead relies on placing to pierce the field. He will be central to JSK’s cause in terms of getting them off to a good start. 

Tristan Stubbs - Sunrisers Eastern Cape

The Season 1 record-signing made valuable contributions throughout the championship run last season, but there’s no doubt Stubbs will want to make a bigger impact this season. He has since transformed from being just a big hitter at the death into a high-quality all-round batter that earned a Proteas Test debut last week at Newlands. A possible move up the order could also benefit Stubbs, who will like nothing more than to give the local support at St George’s Park something to cheer about tonight. 

Imran Tahir - Joburg Super Kings

At 44-years-old most players would be already firmly seated in the coaching or commentary booths, but not Tahir. The charismatic leg-spinner is still turning out those leg-breaks and googlies and will be an important part of JSK’s bowling unit on a St George’s Park surface that traditionally favours the spin bowlers. Tahir has not been seen in action in South Africa in almost five years, so expect to look out for the famous celebration when he does pick up a wicket. 

Aiden Markram - Sunrisers Eastern Cape

It is hard to look out for a more influential player than the Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain. Markram was massive for the champions in the knockout stages during last season’s run into the title. He is also currently in fine form, being fresh off a sparkling Test century on a treacherous Newlands surface just a week ago. The skipper’s off-spinners are also very under-rated as he plays a pivotal role, especially within the Powerplay where he often strikes with the new ball. 

Donovan Ferreira - Joburg Super Kings

'The Don' had an explosive start in JSK’s opener last season at Kingsmead and will no doubt look to repeat his performance here at St George’s Park. Ferreira is also a much more refined batter now 12 months later after gaining experience in the IPL and CPL since. If he finds his mojo tonight, then St George’s Park will certainly be too small for the big-hitting right-hander.