The inclusion of the Protea strike bowler, Vernon Philander, in the SWD team for the inaugural Africa Twenty20 Cup will boost SWD’s aspirations for this this event. The 30 year old Philander who represented South Africa in 31 test, 28 ODI’s and 7 Twenty 20 matches will add immense value to the SWD line-up that will also include the likes of Andrew Puttick, Sybrand Engelbrecht and Mthokozise Shezi – all players from the Cape Cobra’s franchise.
Local hero, Waldo Lategan, who made his debut for SWD as an 18 year old in 2007 will captained the team that include experience SWD heroes such as Marcello Piedt, Pieter Stuurman, Luthando Mnyanda and Brendon Louw. The competition rulings stipulated that two u/21 players must be in the starting eleven and the selectors included Hanno Kotze and Christ Marrow for this purpose. Kotze already represented SWD at first class level and also represented the SA u/23 colts earlier this year whilst Marrow made huge impression as a SWD schools player.
According to SWD Cricket CEO, Albertus Kennedy, CSA confirmed that the Africa Twenty20 Cup will take place in September and October 2015. “It was agreed on the proviso that a “World Cup” T20 style competition (i.e. preliminary pool stage and a knock-out stage) be introduced which competition would present Affiliates (the 12 Affiliate Members + KZN Inland) with an opportunity to generate additional revenue from such content. We are looking forward to this event since it will be SWD Cricket’s first exposure to live broadcasted matches on television” he said.
SWD was drawn in a pool together with Gauteng, Free State and Gauteng which will be contested at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein from 26-28 September 2015. The pool winner will advance to the semi-final knock out stages which will be contested the next weekend.
Deon Smith, the SWD coach, is very excited about the team selected and considering at the balance and potential of the team he is very confident that the SWD team has the potential to go all the way.
The squad of 13 players are: Waldo Lategan (captain), Andrew Puttick, Luthando Mnyanda, Hanno Kotze, Brendon Louw, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Vernon Philander, Marcello Piedt, Mthokozise Shezi, Lonwabo Rodolo, Siya Simetu, Pieter Stuurman and Chris Marrow.
