Cricket

The South African20 (SA20) league is gearing up for its third season, set to take place from January 9 to February 8, 2023. The six participating teams have finalized their pre-signings and retentions, adding a star-studded roster to the tournament.League commissioner Graeme Smith expressed his satisfaction with the caliber of players joining the SA20, stating that it reflects the league's commitment to creating a world-class experience. Among the notable signings are Joe Root, Dinesh Karthik, Ben Stokes, Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Rashid Khan, Devon Conway, Azmatullah Omarzai, Jonny Bairstow, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.Smith emphasized the importance of having both international stars and local heroes on the teams, highlighting the presence of Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, and Heinrich Klaasen. He also praised the retention of domestic players, including rookies who have been promoted to fully-contracted status for Season 3.As of now, the teams have between 14 and 17 players on their rosters, with the remaining spots to be filled at the auction in Cape Town on October 1. Each team can have a maximum of 19 players, including one wildcard and one rookie player. Of the remaining 17, a minimum of ten must be South African, while a maximum of seven can be from overseas.The SA20 2023 squads are as follows:* Durban's Super Giants: Brandon King, Quinton De Kock, Naveen ul Haq, Kane Williamson, Chris Woakes, Prenelan Subrayen, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Noor Ahmed, Heinrich Klaasen, Jon-Jon Smuts, Wiaan Mulder, Junior Dala, Bryce Parsons, Matthew Breetzke, Jason Smith, Marcus Stoinis* Joburg Super Kings: Faf Du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Maheesh Theekshana, Devon Conway, Gerald Coetzee, David Wiese, Leus Du Plooy, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger, Donavon Ferreira, Imran Tahir, Sibonelo Makhanya, Tabraiz Shamsi* MI Cape Town: Rashid Khan, Ben Stokes, Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult, Azmatullah Omarzai, Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Nuwan Thushara, Connor Esterhuizen, Delano Potgieter, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Thomas Kaber, Chris Benjamin* Pretoria Capitals: Anrich Nortje, Jimmy Neesham, Will Jacks, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Will Smeed, Migael Pretorius, Rilee Rossouw, Eathan Bosch, Wayne Parnell, Senuran Muthusamy, Kyle Verreynne, Daryn Dupavillon, Steve Stolk, Tiaan van Vuuren* Paarl Royals: David Miller, Mujeeb Ur-Rahman, Sam Hain, Joe Root, Dinesh Karthik, Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Van Buuren, Keith Dudgeon, Nqaba Peter, Andile Phehlukwayo, Codi Yusuf, John Turner, Dayyaan Galiem, Jacob Bethell* Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Aiden Markram, Zak Crawley, Roelof van der Merwe, Liam Dawson, Ottneil Baartman, Marco Jansen, Beyers Swanepoel, Caleb Seleka, Tristan Stubbs, Jordan Hermann, Patrick Kruger, Craig Overton, Tom Abell, Simon Harmer, Andile Simelane, David BedinghamThe schedule of matches for the SA20 2023 season will be announced at a later date.

The Lanka Premier League (LPL), a highly anticipated T20 cricket tournament, is set to return for its fifth edition on July 1, 2024. The three-week extravaganza will feature a stellar lineup of international and Sri Lankan stars, promising pulsating action at three iconic venues.Among the international marquee names gracing the LPL are Kiwi all-rounders Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman, Bangladesh pacers Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed, Pakistan stars Shadab Khan and Agha Salman, West Indies veterans Andre Fletcher and Fabian Allen, Afghanistan spinners Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, and Noor Ahmad, and South African duo Rilee Rossouw and Reeza Hendricks.Sri Lanka's cricket prowess will be showcased by the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga, Angelo Mathews, Isuru Udana, Maheesh Theekshana, and Kusal Mendis, along with a host of other national team heavyweights."The Lanka Premier League continues to highlight the exceptional talent of our cricket players, providing fans with yet another opportunity to see their favorite stars in action," said Samantha Dodewala, tournament director.The league stage will run from July 1 to 16, with the five teams - Colombo Strikers, Dambulla Sixers, Galle Marvels, Jaffna Kings, and Kandy - facing off twice during this period at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla, and the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele, Kandy.The playoffs will commence on July 18 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, culminating in the grand finale on July 21.