Marsh joins Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Curran moves to Durban’s Super Giants for SA20 Season 5
The SA20 is preparing for its fifth season, with several T20 players joining franchises as teams finalize their pre-auction squads. Among the new additions are Mitchell Marsh, Joe Root, Sam Curran, Jason Holder, and Phil Salt.
Durban’s Super Giants and Paarl Royals are the only two teams that have completed their 19-player squads before the auction. Across the remaining four teams, 19 slots are still available.
Key Player Movements
Mitchell Marsh, Australia’s T20 captain, is set to debut in the SA20 for the three-time champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Marsh will join players such as Quinton de Kock, Matthew Breetzke, Jordan Hermann, and captain Tristan Stubbs in the batting lineup.
Sam Curran, who previously played for MI Cape Town in the first two seasons, will now represent Durban’s Super Giants. He will team up with his England teammate Jos Buttler. Joe Root is also returning to Boland Park for another season with the Paarl Royals, where he previously formed an opening partnership with Lhuan-dre Pretorius.
The runners-up, Pretoria Capitals, have strengthened their top order with the additions of Phil Salt and Australian international Matt Short. Salt, who has played for the Capitals before, will reunite with Short, with the pair currently opening together for Welsh Fire in The Hundred. This duo is expected to add power to a batting lineup that includes Dewald Brevis, Sherfane Rutherford, Andre Russell, and Connor Esterhuizen.
England all-rounder Will Jacks, after three seasons with the Capitals, has moved to MI Cape Town. He completes the trio of MI franchises, having also played for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL and currently for the MI London setup in The Hundred.
Jason Holder, an MLC-winning captain, will join the Joburg Super Kings. The Super Kings are seeking a new captain following the departure of Faf du Plessis, who led the side for its first four seasons.
Squad Finalisation and Auction Outlook
SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith noted that the league’s ability to attract players of the caliber of Mitchell Marsh, Joe Root, Sam Curran, and Phil Salt demonstrates its growing appeal globally. He expressed excitement about seeing these international talents alongside South Africa’s domestic and international stars.
Smith also highlighted that most franchises have already secured the majority of their squads, indicating stability and consistency within the league, which sets the stage for a competitive Season 5. All six teams have filled their overseas pre-signing slots.
Among the prominent players released are England wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow, who previously opened for the Sunrisers with Quinton de Kock. MI Cape Town has also parted ways with Trent Boult, Rassie van der Dussen, and Kieron Pollard. Additionally, Wiaan Mulder and Nandre Burger, who were marquee signings for the Super Kings, will enter the auction pool.
The Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town are expected to be the busiest teams at the auction, needing to sign seven and six players respectively. The Pretoria Capitals have five vacant slots to fill. The Super Kings will also be eligible for a wildcard pick.
Season 5 of the SA20 is scheduled to begin on Sunday, January 17, at St George’s Park, with the Sunrisers facing the Capitals in a repeat of last season’s final. The competition will conclude with the Final at Newlands on Sunday, February 21.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
