Top Six Bowlers to Watch in SA20 Season Four

Bowlers win matches and it will not be different in the upcoming fourth season of the SA20. Independent Media’s Ongama Gcwabe selects Six Bowlers To Watch in this year’s edition of the tournament.

Kagiso Rabada - MI Cape Town

South Africa’s premier bowler is set to return to play in the SA20, having not taken part in the recently concluded India tour due to injury. He will want to get back on the horse with a bang, and help MI Cape Town match Sunrisers’ record of winning back-to-back SA20 titles. With the ball, bat , and his on and off the field leadership, Rabada will be crucial for the Cape Town-based side.

Marco Jansen - Sunrisers Eastern Cape

Marco Jansen has been in really fine form both in international cricket and here at home in the SA20. He put on some serious all-round performances in the recent tour to India, which means he brings momentum into the season for the two-time champions.

The lanky quick has also been a dominant force in the SA20, having finished as the top wicket-taker in the last two seasons and also contributed with the bat. This season, with Aiden Markram having left, and a young captain in Tristan Stubbs having stepped up, Jansen will have a lot more responsibility.

Ottneil Baartman - Paarl Royals

Baartman is one of the most underrated bowlers in the shortest format. However, season in, season out, the right-arm quick delivers. He finished in the top 10 in the top wicket-takers list in two of the three season of the SA20, a feat that demonstrates just how good the 32-year-old is with the ball here at home. Baartman will most likely lead the Royals bowling attack this season, a feat that could see him elevate his game further.

Kwena Maphaka - Durban’s Super Giants

The youngster has been out of action recently with an injury and his return is highly anticipated in the country. He has been spotted wearing a different hairstyle, a sign of perhaps a renewed sense of purpose and energy as he will look to impress in the SA20, given that there is a T20 World Cup on the horizon.

The left-arm quick will be crucial for the Durban’s Super Giants as they invested heavily on him during the auction.

Nandre Burger - Joburg Super Kings

When it comes to fast bowlers in the country, Burger is right up there with the best. With his out-and-out pace approach, especially on the fast and bouncy surface at the Wanderers Stadium, batters will have sleepless night at the prospect of facing the fast bowlers at the Bullring this season.

If his body successfully gets him through the season, captain Faf du Plessis’ Super Kings will stand a good chance of competing for silverware this season.

Lungi Ngidi - Pretoria Capitals

The fast bowler has been arguably the best bowler in shortest format for South Africa this year and he proved recently in India where he finished second in the top wicket-takers lost in the five-match series. Having joined a new team for this season SA20, Ngidi will be one to watch.

His variations with ball in hand make him a tough customer to negotiate whether he plays in the fast tracks in the highveld or down in the coastal wickets.