Pretoria Capitals: Balance, power and variety

SA20 TEAM GUIDE: The Capitals look impeccably well-stocked in nearly all departments and can be considered strong contenders to win the inaugural season, says NICK HOWSON

Nick Howson | 08/01/2023 at 09:59

Coach: Graham Ford

The former Sri Lanka and Surrey coach returns to senior cricket in the SA20. Ford stood down as Ireland's head coach in November 2021 citing bubble fatigue, having led the country during their first foray in Test cricket.

Earlier this year he was briefly linked with the vacant England men's head coach role while working at the YMCA Cricket Club in Sandymount, Dublin. An assistant to the late Bob Woolmer with South Africa at the 1999 World Cup, he spent several years as director of cricket at Kent, during which he also worked with the Dolphins.

Captain: Wayne Parnell

"From a leadership perspective, I've always seen myself as a leader." The left-arm seamer represents the experienced option to lead the Capitals in the maiden season. He almost bounced into the tournament off the back of success in the Provincial One-Day Challenge but his Western Province side were beaten comfortably by Lions. Brings with him experience from more than a decade playing for South Africa - he skippered the Under-19s at the 2008 World Cup - and from multiple overseas spells in England, Pakistan, India and the Caribbean.

Overseas stars

Phil Salt: Though the Lancashire keeper-batter was parachuted into the England XI for the sharp end of the World Cup, it was a reward for his ambitious batting style. Short of runs since his 88 not out in Pakistan (which included England's third-fastest T20 fifty), with injury denying him a warm-up stint in the Big Bash League meaning he is without a competitive outing since November.

Capable of opening the innings or coming in as a pinch-hitter down the order, as well as being a reliable gloveman, he is the perfect franchise player. Reproducing his form from last summer, when he averages 31.29 in T20s would only enhance his reputation.

Josh Little: The last 12 months has seen a staple of the Ireland setup earn global recognition. Last summer, Manchester Originals' replacement signing took The Hundred's best bowling figures of 5 for 13. Less than three months later he was back in Ireland green taking a hat-trick in the T20 World Cup against New Zealand, a streak starting with the dismissal of Kane Williamson.

Last month he was captured in the IPL draft by reigning champions Gujarat Titans, becoming the first Irishman to obtain a deal in the competition. Heading off to the PSL once he's done here.

Adil Rashid: The Yorkshire and England legspinner has made a single appearance in overseas T20 franchise competitions since 2017, so this is a rare opportunity outside of familiar climes. The leading English spinner in T20 history with 275 wickets in 248 matches, his variations in the middle overs make him a menace and virtually impossible to score cheap runs off. Any side looking to make progress outside of the powerplay will be taking a risk.

Will Jacks: The Surrey native will cost franchises hefty sums for years to come. A powerful top-order batter who is a canny offspinner and an expert catcher in the deep. With 1,233 runs at a strike rate of 153.93 in men's T20s in 2022, the 14th most, he outscored Virat Kohli and Colin Munro. The highlight surely came in August when he blasted The Hundred's best-ever individual score, bringing up three figures with a towering maximum in front of a baying Kia Oval crowd.

Kusal Mendis: A consistent run-scorer in T20 cricket, particularly in Asia, but might struggle for regular cricket in the SA20. An all-format Sri Lanka international who can keep wicket, bat in the top order and demands the highest standards from his teammates. Galle Gladiators' LPL campaign was extended due to Mendis' touch with the bat, as he registered three fifties, backing up some impressive international form.

Jimmy Neesham: The New Zealand allrounder turned down a new contract last September to open the door to more franchise exposure. A lower-order pinch-hitter who can operate as the fourth or fifth bowling option. His 200-plus T20 appearances include outings in the Blast, IPL, LPL, CPL and BBL. Unbeaten on Twitter since May 2011.

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The rise and rise of Josh Little (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

BATTING

Power hitters

The likely top four is full of power and panache. Jacks (160), Rilee Rossouw (156) and Salt (161) often reserve their fastest scoring for the international scene and it is hard to see the Capitals now compiling some big scores. Cameron Delport can't be underestimated either having captured four T20 titles including completing the Ram Slam-Mzansi Super League double, won the CPL with Trinbago Knight Riders and starring in Essex's Blast title victory in 2019.

Indeed, they are still looking for some of the balls Delport deposited around Chelmsford during that run, after he struck 129 from 49 balls during a remarkable knock against Surrey.

Anchor

Putting the breaks on this line-up won't be an easy task but Theunis de Bruyn looks well set to stem the tide if required. The 30-year-old returns bruised from the Australia Tests but the white ball may prove to be kinder. He guided Northerns to victory in the T20 Challenge with two key innings in the semi-final and final, scoring 36 and 32. He reached double figures or was not out in seven of his eight innings, finishing with a strike rate in the 130s.

Finisher

Migael Pretorius struck 13 boundaries in 63 balls during the T20 Challenge though ultimately was unable to take Knights to the final. Knocks down the order - 29 off 14 against Titans and 36 from 15 against North West - were the highlights, as he scored at 153.96 across the competition. It might be that the Capitals spread their power hitters across the order, leaving Jacks or Salt until the death overs.

Problem areas

You'll find few better top fours in the competition, but the runs dry up below that. The likes of Josh Little, Anrich Nortje, Daryn Dupavillon and even Wayne Parnell - seven years on from his 99 in the Ram Slam - may struggle to do late damage.

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Anrich Nortje is expected to be the fastest bowler on show (DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)

BOWLING

Speed merchants

Mark Wood's decision to skip the SA20 means Anrich Nortje starts the competition as the fastest bowler around. A lightning-quick right-armer who will break the 90mph barrier and leave batter diving for cover. And yet, it feels as though Nortje's best T20 form may still be ahead of him. An economy rate of 8.15 in the death overs is as good as it comes in 20-over history.

But this is anything but a one-man band. Daryn Dupavillon will test the speed gun too and is a wicket-taking option, Josh Little has pedigree at the highest level and will enjoy bowling at Supersport Park and Migael Pretorius will jostle for the new ball and hope to replicate his domestic form on the big stage.

And then there is Wayne Parnell, who is closing in on 14,000 legal white-ball deliveries, whose performance will be energised by The Proteas' group stage exit at the World Cup. Colin Ackermann's two sixes in the final over of the Netherlands innings which the left-armer bowled played a major role in their eventual exit.

Variation

Rashid Khan and Wanaindu Hasaranga aside, Adil Rashid might be the best legspinner in white-ball cricket right now. With an ability to exert control by slowing the scoring rate and taking wickets with menacing variations, he is a fielding captain's dream. Jacks' subtle off-spin offers the backup option. The Northerns leggie Shaun von Berg, 36, took eight wickets in the T20 Challenge but may have a watching brief.

Problem areas

There is not what you might call a world-class offspinner in the ranks and there will be a lot of onus on Rashid. Otherwise, Parnell has a well-balanced attack to call upon and one which looks potentially title-winning.

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Will Adil Rashid be celebrating in South Africa? (Isuru Sameera/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Who takes the gloves?

A decision that will ultimately come down to the batting. Salt and Mendis are assured of filling the berth. More reliable behind the stumps, with a World Cup winners medal around his neck and a faster scoring rate in T20s, it is likely the Englishman will get the nod.

Squad: Eathan Bosch, Theunis de Bruyn, Shane Dadswell, Cameron Delport, Daryn Dupavillon, Will Jacks, Josh Little, Marco Marais, Kusal Mendis, Senuran Muthusamy, Jimmy Neesham, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Migael Pretorius, Adil Rashid, Rilee Rossouw, Phil Salt, Shaun von Berg

Possible starting XI: Will Jacks, Cameron Delport, Rilee Rossouw, Phil Salt, Theunis de Bruyn, Migael Pretorius, Wayne Parnell, Adil Rashid, Daryn Dupavillon, Anrich Nortje, Josh Little

Fixtures: January 12 - Sunrisers Eastern Cape (St George's Park, 7:30pm GMT), January 14 - Sunrisers Eastern Cape (Centurion, 3.30pm GMT), January 17 - Joburg Super Kings (Wanderers, 7:30pm GMT), January 18 - Joburg Super Kings (Centurion, 7.30pm GMT), January 20 - Durban Super Giants (Kingsmead, 7.30pm), January 22 - Paarl Royals (Boland Park, 3:30pm GMT), January 23 - MI Cape Town (Newlands, 7:30pm GMT), February, 4 - MI Cape Town (Centurion, 7.30pm) , February 5 - Durban Super Giants (Centurion, 7.30pm), February 7 - Paarl Royals (Centurion, 7.30pm)