VERREYNNE EXCITED TO BE 'POSITIVE' IN DOMESTIC T20 CHALLENGE

With the prospect of a perfect domestic season having ended last weekend, Kyle Verreynne is keen to see his Western Province squad regain momentum in the CSA T20 Challenge.

The Pretoria Capitals wicketkeeper-batter lead WP to the domestic 50-over title before a so-near-yet-so-far 4-day final loss against the Lions. Verreynne will have the fillip of the man he replaced as captain, Wayne Parnell (also his Capitals captain) back fit and the return of Proteas batter David Bedingham - who missed the 4-Day Series final having done well during the recent South Africa series to New Zealand.

"I think the guys are really excited and looking forward to it. We had a really successful white ball campaign at the start of the season. The squad will predominantly be the same,” said Verreynne who scored a century in the 50-over final which WP won against North West Dragons back in October 2023.

"The brand of cricket and the style that we've been playing all season has been positive and I think we're going to look to continue that as much as we can in the T20 competition."

Verreynne believes that, despite the loss in the 4-day final, the team is currently in a good space.

"I think it's a double round of T20s, which is quite exciting - it's quite a long competition which we haven’t had for a long time. We're just trying to stay nice and fresh. We’re really looking forward to it and can't wait to get going," he adds.

Of the 18-man squad selected by WP coach Salieg Nackerdien, seven recently took part in Betway SA20 Season 2. Verreynne and Parnell’s Capitals missed out on the playoffs, as did George Linde and Beuran Hendricks with MI Cape Town. Nandre Burger and Kyle Simmonds (both Joburg Super Kings) as well as Tony de Zorzi (Durban’s Super Giants) did make the final four, but could only watch as Sunrisers Eastern Cape defended their title.

Verreynne and co will start their CSA T20 Challenge campaign at Kingsmead Stadium against the Dolphins before hosting Tuskers on Sunday, 10 March 2024 at Newlands (14:00).

FULL WESTERN PROVINCE CSA T20 CHALLENGE SQUAD

Kyle Verreynne (captain – Pretoria Capitals), Abdallah Bayoumy, David Bedingham, Wesley Bedja, Jono Bird, Nandre Burger (Joburg Super Kings), Tony de Zorzi (Durban’s Super Giants), Beuran Hendricks (vice-captain – MI Cape Town), Gavin Kaplan, George Linde (MI Cape Town), Eddie Moore, Mihlali Mpongwana, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Onke Nyaku, Wayne Parnell (Pretoria Capitals), Dane Paterson, Kyle Simmonds (Joburg Super Kings), Daniel Smith.