Cricket

Delhi Capitals' Strategic Retention of Tristan Stubbs Lauded by Paul AdamsFormer South African spinner Paul Adams has hailed the Delhi Capitals' decision to retain Tristan Stubbs for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Amidst significant roster changes, including the release of former captain Rishabh Pant, Stubbs's retention underscores the franchise's belief in his abilities."It was a calculated move from Delhi Capitals," Adams told IANS. "Stubbs is one of the few young players who will be a long-term asset for the franchise. He has proven his credentials in all formats, including a classy innings against Bangladesh in Tests. Having a young, hard-hitting batter and a terrific fielder will always benefit the team."The 22-year-old Stubbs has impressed with his aggressive batting and efficient fielding in previous IPL seasons, scoring three half-centuries in 18 matches. Alongside Stubbs, Delhi Capitals have also retained Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and uncapped player Abishek Porel, aiming to solidify their core team."With Axar, Kuldeep, and Porel also in the retention list, DC has tried to retain their core strength," Adams added. "But with Rishabh gone, it will be interesting to see who will lead the team."Stubbs, who made his IPL debut in 2022, has scored 405 runs at an average of 36.82, including three fifties. Acquired for Rs 50 lakh in the 2024 IPL Auction, his performance showcases his potential as a long-term asset for the team.Adams also praised the emergence of young talent like Gerald Coetzee and credited the SA20 tournament for its positive impact on South African cricket, attributing part of its success to the involvement of IPL franchises."Coetzee has been around for a while and has always been able to contribute with the bat," Adams said. "His innings the other night was absolutely amazing. Coming in and taking the pressure off Stubbs immediately. Having a player like that down the order and the batting depth South Africa now has in T20 is important.""It allows batters to continue to keep going hard," Adams added. "And you've got to understand that the game's never finished. You've got to make sure you've got length in your batting and batters down the order that can clear the ropes. And we had to see what Gerald is capable of."

Trevor Penney, the former head coach of the Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), has been appointed as the new head coach of the Paarl Royals for the 2025 season of the South Africa T20 League (SA20). Penney replaces Shane Bond, who will now focus solely on his role as bowling coach for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Penney has been a key figure in the Royals franchise since 2021, when the Royals Sports Group took over the Barbados team. Under his guidance, the Barbados Royals have emerged as a consistent contender in the CPL, reaching the final in 2022."I'm honored to take on the head coach role at Paarl Royals," said Penney. "The SA20 has become a major tournament on the global cricket calendar, and I'm excited to work with such a talented squad. Being part of the Royals family with Rajasthan Royals and Barbados Royals has been a wonderful journey, and I'm looking forward to continuing that experience in Paarl."Penney will work alongside David Miller, who has captained the Paarl Royals in both seasons of the SA20 so far. The Royals reached the semi-finals in the inaugural season but were eliminated in the Eliminator in the second season."We're delighted to have Trevor join as head coach of Paarl Royals," said Royals' director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara. "His track record with the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and with the Barbados Royals in the CPL, where he's helped in transforming the team into consistent contenders, shows the quality of coach he is."Meanwhile, Bond will focus on his role with the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the upcoming IPL auction. He will work closely with new head coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour to finalize the team's plans."Shane Bond, who has been fantastic with us in both the IPL and the SA20, will focus extensively on his continued role with the Rajasthan Royals and spend more time in India, overseeing the scouting and trial processes along with Rahul and Vikram," added Sangakkara.

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has been appointed as the Director of Cricket for JSW Sports, a leading sports management company in India. Ganguly's role will encompass all cricketing properties owned by JSW Sports, including the Delhi Capitals franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women's Premier League (WPL), as well as the Pretoria Capitals franchise in the South African T20 league (SA20).Ganguly's appointment marks a significant development for JSW Sports, which is co-owned by JSW Group and GMR Group. The company has been actively involved in cricket, with the Delhi Capitals being one of the most successful franchises in the IPL. Ganguly's experience and expertise are expected to further enhance the team's performance and strategic direction.Prior to his appointment as Director of Cricket, Ganguly served as an advisor to the Delhi Capitals in 2019, working closely with head coach Ricky Ponting. He later returned to the franchise as Director of Cricket after completing his tenure as President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The appointment of Ganguly comes amidst a restructuring of the management of cricket operations for the Delhi Capitals. Under a two-year rotation policy, GMR Group will handle the operations of the IPL team for the next two years, while JSW Sports will oversee the WPL team.Commenting on Ganguly's appointment, JSW Sports founder Parth Jindal said, "Dada has always had a special place at JSW Sports. For us, he is family first and then the cricketing icon that he is. I've said this in the past and it stands true even today – he is one of the sharpest brains in cricket and we will always stand to benefit from his guidance and wisdom of the sport."Ganguly expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, "I've had the pleasure of knowing the JSW Group and the Jindal family personally and professionally which made this an easy decision. JSW Sports has been doing visionary work across the board, and I am pleased to be able to lend my experience to all its cricketing projects."

South Africa's Reeza Hendricks emerged as the most sought-after player at the SA20 auction ahead of the 2025 season, fetching a staggering bid of Rand 4.3 million. MI Cape Town outbid Pretoria Capitals in a fierce bidding war to secure the services of the batter.Despite a disappointing T20 World Cup performance and being released by Joburg Super Kings, Hendricks' recent form, including back-to-back half-centuries against Ireland, made him a highly desirable asset. He will reunite with his Lions teammates Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton at Cape Town.However, Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi remained unsold, as six franchises had only 13 spots to fill. Durban's Super Giants filled their lone slot with West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph, who had previously gone unsold. Joseph will join Allan Donald, the new bowling coach of Super Giants.Cape Town also added Colin Ingram and Dane Piedt to their roster, bolstering their batting and spin attack, respectively. Back-to-back champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape continued their focus on fast bowlers, acquiring England's Richard Gleeson and Dolphins' Okuhle Cele.Joburg Super Kings recruited allrounders Wihan Lubbe, Evan Jones, and Doug Bracewell, while Paarl Royals signed wicketkeeper Rubin Hermann. Pretoria Capitals spent heavily on Dolphins' Marques Ackerman and West Indies opener Evin Lewis.Graeme Smith, the former South Africa captain and current SA20 commissioner, expressed satisfaction with the strength of all six teams, highlighting the mix of quality South African and international players. He emphasized the league's goal of developing South African players and pointed to the success of Ottneil Baartman as an example.Super Kings selected Warriors' allrounder JP King as their rookie player, while all other franchises have announced their wildcard picks. Notably, Royals have signed former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik as their wildcard player, making him the first Indian to feature in the SA20.

The third edition of the SA20 auction, held in Cape Town, set the stage for another thrilling season of South Africa's premier T20 league. With the tournament scheduled to commence on January 9, 2025, and conclude on February 8, all six franchises aimed to complete their 19-player squads.The auction witnessed intense bidding wars and strategic purchases as franchises sought to bolster their squads. Reeza Hendricks emerged as the most expensive signing, acquired by MI Cape Town for a staggering R4.30 million. Hendricks's ability to anchor innings and accelerate when needed makes him a valuable asset for MI Cape Town.Another high-value buy was Richard Gleeson, who joined Sunrisers Eastern Cape for R2.3 million. Gleeson's express pace and yorker-bowling prowess make him a potent threat, particularly in the death overs. His experience in international leagues will be invaluable for Sunrisers Eastern Cape as they look to defend their title.Evin Lewis, the West Indian powerhouse, was another exciting pick, joining the Pretoria Capitals for R1.5 million. Lewis's explosive batting and ability to score quick runs will bolster Pretoria Capitals' top-order firepower.Marques Ackerman's signing for Pretoria Capitals at R800K was a calculated move. The middle-order batter's ability to stabilize innings and accelerate during the death overs makes him a versatile addition to the team.In a bargain buy, West Indian fast bowler Shamar Joseph was snapped up by Durban's Super Giants for just R425K. Joseph's raw talent and genuine pace offer tremendous potential, and he could prove to be a surprise package on South African pitches.The SA20 auction showcased the strategic thinking and competitive spirit of the franchises as they assembled their squads for the upcoming season. With a mix of international stars and rising domestic talents, the third edition of the SA20 promises to deliver thrilling cricket and intense competition.

The South African T20 league (SA20) is set to host its third season, and the upcoming player auction promises to be an exciting affair. With nearly 200 players shortlisted, including 115 South Africans, the six franchises will have their pick of some of the world's best T20 talent.Among the international players up for grabs are Shamar Joseph, Naseem Shah, Josh Little, and Josh Hull. These players have all impressed in recent T20 tournaments and will be looking to make a mark in the SA20.The Paarl Royals have the largest purse remaining at R11.95 million, followed by MI Cape Town with R8.275 million and Pretoria Capitals with R4.575 million. The Joburg Super Kings have R3.925 million, while the Sunrisers Eastern Cape hold R2.845 million. Durban's Super Giants have the smallest purse remaining at R2.35 million.Some of the notable international players on the shortlist include New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, Sri Lankan allrounder Kamindu Mendis, and Afghan wrist-spinner Qais Ahmad. Reeza Hendricks, released by the Super Kings, is the most notable South African in the shortlist.Each squad must have 19 players, including a minimum of 10 South Africans, a maximum of seven international players, a rookie, and a wildcard player. All franchises, except the Super Kings, have announced their wildcard picks. The Super Kings have until December 30 to name their wildcard player.The Paarl Royals have selected former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik as their wildcard. Karthik will be the first Indian to compete in the SA20.The SA20 Auction and Rookie Draft will take place on October 1. The tournament is scheduled to begin on January 9.

The upcoming SA20 auction promises to be a thrilling affair, with a host of international stars set to go under the hammer. Fast bowlers Shamar Joseph, Naseem Shah, Josh Little, and Josh Hull are among the overseas players who will be up for grabs.Nearly 200 players, including 115 South Africans, have made the shortlist, but only 13 spots are to be filled up by the six franchises. Paarl Royals have the biggest purse of R11.95m to spend at the auction, followed by MI Cape Town with R8.275m and Pretoria Capitals with R4.575m.Other overseas attractions in the shortlist include New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis, and Afghanistan wristspinner Qais Ahmad."Some of the biggest names on the international T20 circuit have already signed up for season 3 and I am looking forward to see how the teams finalise their squads from this competitive auction list of players," said Graeme Smith, the former South Africa captain and current SA20 commissioner.Reeza Hendricks, who was released by Super Kings, is perhaps the most high-profile South African in the shortlist along with fellow opener Tony de Zorzi.All squads are required to have 19 players, with a minimum of ten South African players, a maximum of seven international players, a rookie, and a wildcard player.Barring Super Kings, all franchises have announced their wildcard picks. Notably, Paarl Royals picked former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik as their wildcard. Having retired from Indian and international cricket in June earlier this year, Karthik will become the first Indian to feature in the SA20.Super Kings have until December 30 to lock in their wildcard player.The SA20 2025 auction will take place on October 1 and the tournament will begin on January 9, clashing with Australia's Big Bash League, UAE's ILT20, and New Zealand's Super Smash.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced a remarkable financial turnaround, posting profits of R815 million (US$ 45.6 million) for the 2023-24 fiscal year. This significant achievement marks a departure from the losses incurred over the past three reporting periods, totaling R538 million (US$ 30.14 million).The turnaround is primarily attributed to increased revenue from broadcast rights, which now account for 54% of CSA's income. The successful hosting of the 2024 Under-19 men's World Cup and a bumper SA20 tournament, in which CSA holds a majority stake, further contributed to the financial boost.CSA's total ICC disbursements for the period amounted to R566 million (US$ 31.63 million), a significant increase from the previous year's R290 million (US$ 16.2 million). The organization anticipates another strong financial year in 2024-2025, largely due to hosting India for four T20Is in November, with revenue projections exceeding R150 million (US$ 8.38 million) per match.The financial turnaround has had a positive impact on the women's game in South Africa, with CSA investing R32 million (US$ 1.78 million) in professionalizing domestic women's cricket. The cost of running professional cricket remains CSA's largest expense, with R633 million (US$ 35.3 million) allocated to domestic men's and women's teams.Despite the financial challenges, CSA reported strong performance across all levels of cricket. The men's team reached the semi-finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup, while the women's team achieved historic victories against Australia. Grassroots cricket also saw a surge in participation, with the KFC mini-cricket program reporting a 20% increase.The CSA AGM marked the end of Lawson Naidoo's three-year tenure as chair. A new chair will be elected at a special general meeting this month, with the selection process limited to independent directors.

The highly anticipated third season of the SA20 cricket tournament is set to kick off on January 9, 2023, with defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape hosting MI Cape Town at St George's Park in Gqeberha. The tournament will feature 30 league matches, followed by playoffs and a final at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.St George's Park will also host the first qualifier, which will determine the team that automatically advances to the final. The Wanderers, which hosted the inaugural SA20 final, will once again host the championship match. The reason for the switch back to Johannesburg is unclear, but it may be related to the Wanderers' larger capacity, accommodating over 30,000 spectators.SuperSport Park in Centurion will host the eliminator and second qualifier on consecutive days, marking the first time the playoffs will be held in Centurion. Kingsmead in Durban and Boland Park in Paarl are the only two venues that have yet to host any of the marquee matches.The SA20 will follow the same format as the previous season, with each team playing every other team home and away before the playoffs. The total number of matches remains at 34."We're thrilled to start the season in Gqeberha with our defending champions and look forward to an action-packed summer of cricket," said Graeme Smith, SA20 league commissioner. "As we welcome international talent to the roaring pool of local stars, we aim to deliver an unforgettable experience for both players and fans alike."The SA20 squads are nearing completion, with each team having secured between 14 and 17 players on their rosters. The remaining players will be decided via an auction on October 1.