Interviews
SA20 AUCTION SMART BUYS: LIZAAD WILLIAMS
The Betway SA20 Season 3 auction is almost upon us with October 1 saved as the date when the hammer will be brought out again.
The first two auctions certainly had the tongues wagging with some big-money purchases.
However, teams have also made some shrewd purchases with players delivering performances that far outweigh their price tags.
In a new six-part series, SA20 will highlight the bargain buys that have shot the lights out. This week we look at Joburg Super Kings' Lizaad Williams, bought for R375 000 at the Season 1 player auction.
The Proteas seamer has simply gone from strength-to-strength since linking up with the Joburg Super Kings two seasons ago.
Under the tutelage of head coach Stephen Fleming, bowling coach Eric Simons and captain Faf du Plessis, Williams has taken his game to the next level.
“I actually wasn’t in the country when the first auction happened. I was playing for Northamptonshire in England, and we were on the road to our next game in Somerset,” Williams said.
“But my wife watched it diligently. I was confident that I would get picked up, but of course you're never sure where you are actually going to go. So, when she texted me that I was heading to JSK, I was really happy.
“Faf had actually signed me a while back for another team in another league, but we never had the opportunity to actually play together, so to finally get the chance was great.
“Also, Flem and Eric are really chilled out guys. They create a very mature environment where players are left to make decisions for themselves. That’s very ‘un-South African’ as we are accustomed to a very structured approach.
“I have really enjoyed working with them as it's really helped me take ownership of my own game.”
After a relatively quiet first season where Williams was limited to just three matches - although he did claim 4/36 in the semi-final against Sunrisers Eastern Cape - he really shot to prominence in Season 2.
In a season where JSK struggled for consistency all-round, Williams kept the flame burning with 15 wickets at an average of 16.33 in nine matches to finish as the Super Kings’ leading wicket-taker.
Williams’ heroics for the Super Kings translated into further personal success for the Vredenburg-born fast bowler with Betway SA20 once again providing the platform that attracts a global audience.
The 30-year-old earned a maiden call-up to the Indian Premier League from the Delhi Capitals.
He certainly believes his experience at the IPL will stand him in good stead for Season 3 after being retained by JSK.
“To be honest, the IPL came at the right time. It showed me how important execution is,” Williams said.
“As seam bowlers in South Africa, we often get away with a lot because there’s always a bit of bounce in the wicket or sideways movement.
“Whereas India is literally a batting paradise. We saw matches where 270 played 260.
“Execution just becomes more important, because if you’re just inches off your mark, you are fetching on the day.
“That’s what I learnt the most about my experience at the Delhi Capitals.
“You do feel that your skill-set is on par with the best in the world, but the best in the world just have the ability to execute their skill-set under high pressure.”
WILLIAMS STATS - SA20 OVERALL
Matches: 12 | Wickets: 20 | Best Bowling: 4/26 | Average: 15.90 | Economy: 9.35 |
WILLIAMS STATS - SA20 SEASON 2
Matches: 9 | Wickets: 15 | Best Bowling: 4/26 | Average: 16.33 | Economy: 9.92 |
WILLIAMS STATS - SA20 SEASON 1
Matches: 3 | Wickets: 5 | Best Bowling: 4/36 | Average: 14.0 | Economy: 7.78 |
