South Africa, are you watching the Mzansi Super League?
Since kicking off last weekend, it’s been a pretty entertaining slogfest.
And the best bit about it is that it’s all being shown on the SABC.
It’s been a long time since we have had a quality sports product by the national broadcaster.
We get to see our own Proteas strut their stuff with the best of the local talent around. Plus there are some world-class international T20 aces thrown into the mix.
Last week, I lamented that there were not enough young players around to get me excited or there to develop their game.
I was hoping that some unknown kid would break the mould and force his way into the Proteas selectors’ thinking for the World Cup in May.
IMPRESSIVE: Gihahn Cloete. Photo: SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX
And I think I may just have gotten what I wished for from the look of things up until now.
While the Proteas are still to make an impact in the tournament after only returning from Australia this week, some of the overlooked talent in the country are swinging for the fences in their hopes to catch the eye of coach Ottis Gibson.
Gibson’s options at the top of the batting order have been pretty thin, with only Aiden Markram and the ageing Hashim Amla partnering Quinton de Kock in the limited-overs game.
Reeza Hendricks is also taking his time to take to international after such a long wait.
But already some options have become clear after the opening rounds of the tournament.
Top of the charts for run scorers are Tshwane Spartans’ Gihahn Cloete (137) and Janneman Malan of the Cape Town Blitz (107). With averages and strike rates over 35 and 130, they have really impressed.
Twice-capped Jozi Stars’ Rassie van der Dussen has been even better, smashing 101 runs from two innings at just under 150.