Top T20 cricketers go under the hammer in SA20 auction

Zaahier Adams

Nearly 200 local and international T20 cricketers will go under the hammer at the SA20 season 3 player auction taking place in Cape Town today.

Fourteen countries are represented across the field, with 115 South African and 73 overseas players making up the main auction. West Indies fast-bowling phenomenon Shamar Joseph tops the list along with his Windies teammate, Matthew Forde.

𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛👀#BetwaySA20 Commissioner Graeme Smith and Head of Cricket Operations Stephen Cook review the squads ahead of the upcoming season and ahead of the #BetwaySA20Auction in Cape Town on 1 October

Check it out https://t.co/xAWBQ95kAp

— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) September 28, 2024

Joseph shot to prominence earlier this year when he delivered a spectacular seven-wicket haul to drive the Windies to their first Test win over Australia in 27 years. He has since backed up his maiden performance with further inspirational spells in both Test and T20Is.

New Zealand’s record-breaking T20I opener Martin Guptill could also potentially add some explosive batting power to one of the six teams, while Sri Lanka’s rising star, Kamindu Mendis, will also be up for the taking.

South Africa’s leading domestic players have also put their names forward with current Cricket SA T20 Player of the Year Reeza Hendricks topping the list. With only 13 slots available, league commissioner Graeme Smith expects another thrilling high-stakes auction.

“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,” Smith said.

The rookie player draft will also once again feature after the main auction. A rookie is a South African player 22 or under on the day of the auction that has not been contracted to the SA20 before.

All squads are required to include 19 players, with a minimum of 10 South African players, a maximum of seven international players, a rookie, and a wildcard player.

Joburg Super Kings still have the option to include the wildcard player for season 3 and will have until the December 30 deadline to confirm their selection.

Paarl Royals have the biggest purse of R11.9 million to spend at the auction. Western Cape neighbours MI Cape Town are next with R8.2m, followed by Pretoria Capitals’ with a spend of R4.5m.

Joburg Super Kings have R3.9m with back-to-back champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape having R2.8m to spend. Last season’s runners-up, Durban’s Super Giants, have a remaining balance of R2.3m in their purse.