SA20 heads to business end, this is what we’ve learnt

Less than a week out from the play-offs for the SA20, there have been a number of standout performances that have made this fourth season of the local ‘moer-en-soek’ competition memorable.

The most noteworthy performance has probably been the consistency of Ryan Rickelton. Having scored his first hundred in the SA20 on the opening day of the competition on Boxing Day for MI Cape Town (MICT), Rickelton’s name was missing from the Proteas T20 World Cup squad announced a few days later.

That setback did not hinder Rickelton’s insatiable appetite for runs this season though, as he added another century to his growing tally and is the leading run-scorer so far.

In eight matches, Rickelton has compiled 324 runs at an average of 54 and a strike-rate of 167.

SA20 Standout Performers Boost Proteas Prospects

Interestingly, the man who overtook Rickelton in the Proteas pecking order—Quinton de Kock—is second on the run-scoring list. De Kock, who recommitted to the Proteas, has also turned in a number of consistent knocks with three 50s for an average of 54 at a strike rate of 160 for Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC).

Veteran Rassie van der Dussen, whose Proteas future also remains unclear, is the third highest SA batsman on the SA20 run-scoring chart with 218 at an average of 31 and a strike-rate of 147 for MICT.

Meanwhile, a finally fully fit Anrich Nortje has the most wickets this season with his 12 strikes. The tearaway quick, who has struggled over the last two years with recurring injuries, has returned an average of 12 with best figures of 4/13 for SEC.

With Nortje also on the plane to the World Cup, it has been especially pleasing for SA cricket fans to see him back to his best.

Like with Rickelton though, another Proteas hopeful not going to the World Cup, Ottniel Baartman has shone in the SA20. The Paarl Royals fast bowler has 11 wickets, with best figures of 4/51.

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Sport