What happened on Pink Day sealed the deal for Ken Borland

The Ball in Play

Both the Proteas and Australia agreed at the end of their Pink Day ODI at the Wanderers on Sunday that it had been the South African spin bowlers who had once again been the difference between the two great rivals.

Sure, Temba Bavuma scored a masterful century and David Miller smashed a career-best (statistically and maybe in terms of what it meant personally too) 142 to take South Africa to 365 for nine after being sent in to bat.

But when Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head had added 130 for the first wicket in just 17 overs and Australia were ahead of the required run-rate, it was the spinners who turned the tide once again for the home team.

Left-arm spinners Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin repeated their heroics of the first ODI in Durban on Heritage Day [September 24), and this time they had the support of part-time off-spinner Aiden Markram.

Together, that triumvirate of twirlers all bowled their full ration of overs and took five wickets for 179 in 30 overs. Not only did they go for less than a run-a-ball at a venue which can be very tough on spinners, but they also removed five of Australia’s top six.

Having been the key factor in the ODI series win with a game to spare, I believe Proteas coach Shukri Conrad should also look to spin for the Test series that starts on October 9.

When the fixtures were announced for this Australian tour back in February, the fact that the three Tests were being played at Kingsmead, St George’s Park and Newlands got me thinking.

All three matches being played at coastal venues made me wonder if Conrad, who often dissents with the popular or cliched view, was planning to attack the Australians with spin. South Africa’s coastal venues, especially Durban in recent years, are the most spin-friendly in the country.

Keshav Maharaj is based at Kingsmead and Prenelan Subrayen and Senuran Muthusamy all made their Test debuts while playing for the KZN Dolphins, such has been the success of spin in Durban.

St George’s Park in Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, can also be very spin-friendly depending on the wind. When thinking of the Test venues, my mind immediately went back to April 2022 when Maharaj and Simon Harmer destroyed Bangladesh, taking all 10 second-innings wickets at Kingsmead as they bundled them out for just 53, and then repeating the feat further down the coast in the next match, where they shot the tourists out for just 80. They are the only pair of bowlers to have achieved this in back-to-back Tests in the history of the game.

Newlands in Cape Town has also traditionally been a favoured venue for the spinners, Paul Adams and England’s Colin Blythe are both in the top-10 wicket-takers in Tests there, while Paul Harris, Shane Warne, Nicky Boje, Johnny Briggs, Hugh Tayfield and Maharaj are all in the top-20. When I was growing up, Western Province leg-spinner Denys Hobson was always a threat for visiting teams in domestic cricket, and I remember Transvaal’s slow left-armer Alan Kourie routinely winning games there on the third day, using the wind superbly.

The best red-ball return at Newlands in the last four seasons is left-arm spinner Kyle Simmonds’s seven for 39 against the KZN Dolphins in 2023/24.

My learned colleague Stuart Hess, whose coverage of South African and domestic cricket for TimesLive and the Sunday Times should be compulsory reading for cricket fans, did rather dampen my spinner daydreams when he informed me Conrad had told him the thinking around the fixtures was early-season pitches on the coast seaming around, the coach mentioning when Marco Jansen took seven for 13 at Kingsmead as he bowled Sri Lanka out for a measly 42.

But that match was actually at the end of November in 2024. Normally when I have disagreed with coach Shukri, he has invariably proven me wrong, but I would be very surprised if, having seen what has transpired in the ODI series, he is not thinking of attacking Australia with both Maharaj and Harmer.

Conrad did say this week that the double-spinner tactic, planned before what he called the “hamstring pandemic” amongst the quick bowlers, had “exposed” some weaknesses in the Australian ODI team, but he added that their Test batting line-up is very different to their limited-overs personnel.

But just to strengthen my argument, I can report that marvellous Miller agreed with my idea when he spoke to the media after his magnificent 142 off just 93 balls.

“I would love to see us test the Australians on days three and four with turn because we have great spinners. Playing our spinners has probably been a weakness for them. Our spinners are extremely good at holding a good length and asking questions. When the surface holds a bit, it takes a lot to hit them off that length,” Miller said.

Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards, who was their best bowler with five for 67 in just his second ODI and then scored 25 to give them a sliver of hope, explained why facing the Proteas spinners has been such a problem.

“The spinners are both really good at controlling their length and when the pitch is a bit dry and the ball a bit softer, one delivery will turn sharply and the next one skids through. So it’s a considerable risk to try and hit boundaries, they are quality bowlers,” Edwards said.

But let’s go back to Bavuma and Miller, who are both such inspirational figures in the batting line-up.

Captain Bavuma had to come in after the shock of Aiden Markram, back in the team for the first time since the T20 World Cup, being dismissed first ball of the match courtesy of a spectacular Cooper Connolly catch. A lengthy delay before the opening delivery was bowled – either due to SuperSport delaying things or the event managers getting their timings wrong – probably did not help him.

Bavuma looked in fine touch from the get-go and played some of the most elegant strokes of the day, while also showing he is capable of brutal dispatching too as he collected 10 fours and two sixes in his 103. Bavuma now averages 49 against Australia in ODIs, striking at 85, and averages 41 in Tests.

Whether he is still batting at number three in the next World Cup will become more clear in the months ahead, but what is certain is that he will be the lynchpin in the South African batting line-up, allowing the strokeplayers and boundary-hitters to bat around him.

Just like Miller did at the Wanderers. Their ground-record partnership of 156 off 135 balls for the fourth wicket featured timing as sweet as the most invigorating balsam, and just as medicinal for South Africa’s health after they had slipped to 93 for three after a difficult first 15 overs when the ball moved around and there was some steep bounce.

The previous fourth-wicket record for the Proteas at the Wanderers was 105 between AB de Villiers and JP Duminy, against India in 2013/14.

There are some who have written off the 37-year-old Miller’s chances of making the 2027 World Cup squad, but he has not averaged below 40 in his last four seasons of ODI action, while striking at 114. He has scored three centuries and seven half-centuries in that time.

His strokeplay had the large Pink Day crowd purring with delight, especially when he sent the Australian bowlers over the boundary fencing on nine occasions. His record against South Africa’s greatest rivals is extraordinary: He now averages 59.20 against them, at a strike-rate of 106, with four centuries.

“I just want to contribute in the best way I can, make an impact. I just try to stick to my processes, I’ve been around for a long time so it’s also time for me to lead from the front and stick my hand up.

“I was pretty hungry today. You can never 100% guarantee that you’re going to make the World Cup squad and I still have a lot of hard work to do. This is a very important series because we haven’t played at home for a long time. It’s going to be very nice to have a big summer here against some really good opposition before we host the World Cup next year.

“The key for us leading up to the World Cup is to find our balance and ensure our depth is good. There are a lot of batsmen coming through, and it’s similar with the bowlers,” Miller said.

When Devon Conway left Johannesburg for New Zealand back in 2017, he probably felt he would never again be based at the Wanderers Stadium. But his service at the altar of T20 franchise cricket now sees him calling the Bullring his home ground again as he turns out in the SA20 for the first time for the Joburg Super Kings.

Since that brave leap into the unknown, Conway has become an international star in all formats for the Black Caps. The left-hander has scored 4490 runs for New Zealand in 109 matches across the Test, ODI and T20 formats.

Conway has also relished playing T20 league cricket around the world, having turned out for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, the Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket and for the Southern Brave in The Hundred. The Super Kings connection continues now with his acquisition by Stephen Fleming’s Joburg side.

Now 33, Conway played nine seasons of domestic cricket in South Africa. He made his debut for Gauteng aged just 17, having been considered one of the brightest young prospects in the country while at St John’s College, the alma mater of Bruce Mitchell, Clive Rice and Mike Rindel. While he was prolific in ‘B Section’ cricket, he never really managed to make the step up to franchise level, averaging just 21 in the first division four-day competition.

So he left for New Zealand to start again, and the refresh worked an absolute treat as Conway became one of the most prolific run-scorers his new country has ever seen.

But now he is back at his former home, the Wanderers Stadium, and eager for his first match on Saturday evening as the Joburg Super Kings host MI Cape Town.

“It’s great to be back, it’s the first time in eight years that I’m playing in South Africa. It’s been awesome to see some family, old friends and familiar faces, and of course this wonderful ground again,” Conway told SportsBoom.com on Friday.

“I’ve watched the SA20 for a couple of years now and it looks fantastic, so I’m delighted to be part of it. It seems a great platform to express your skills and I can’t wait to get into it.”

Last season, the Wanderers was sometimes excessively difficult for free-scoring, leading to the Joburg Super Kings, who were expecting pitches full of runs, to only have a 50% winning record at home. They did nevertheless scrape into the playoffs, before losing in Qualifier 2.

But with England star Jonny Bairstow also joining JSK, Conway should be part of a powerful top-order. The part-time wicketkeeper is hoping to rekindle the successful partnership he had with JSK captain Faf du Plessis at the top of the order for Texas in MLC. Last year he scored 293 runs in eight innings, averaging 58.60 at a strike-rate of 143.62.

“Last year, JSK came close but didn’t quite get over the line. But we have a great squad this year and there’s a huge incentive for us with the final being played at the Wanderers. But it’s important to be strong at home. We should have the best idea of conditions here and we have enough experience to capitalise.

“I have a rough idea of what my role will be, I’ll get full clarity from Flem tonight. But hopefully it will be something similar to in MLC, where I opened with Faf,” Conway said.

Apart from reuniting with old mates, Saturday’s match also provides the opportunity to chew the fat with Black Caps team-mate Trent Boult, who will spearhead the MI Cape Town attack. The left-armer was superb up front in the opening match of SA20, helping his side to victory over defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

“It’s always a great fixture – Super Kings versus MI – it’s a really nice rivalry and just the sort of game you want to get underway,” Conway said. I’ve played a few games against Trent, so I have a fair idea of how he operates. He is world-class, especially if the ball is swinging, and I’m looking forward to taking him on.”

Adding to Conway’s understated confidence is how well he and Du Plessis did against Boult in MLC. In their two games against MI New York, they put on 85 in 8.5 overs and 101 in 12-and-a-half overs, winning both matches. Boult conceded 98 runs in his eight overs …

Momentum Multiply Titans coach Rivash Gobind said at the start of the season that it would take “40 days of good cricket” to win the 1st-Class Series, but this week the 51-day slog that is now known as the Pro20 Cup gets underway with a thrilling double-header at SuperSport Park on Friday.

The Titans take on the YesPlay Western Province Cobras at 6pm on Friday night, after the earlier match between defending champions Dafabet Warriors and the North-West Dragons (2pm). And, in an announcement that should ensure SuperSport Park is teeming with the youngsters who adore them, new Titans heroes Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Donovan Ferreira should all be in action under the lights.

And Friday could also see the return of the blazing batting of Leus du Plooy, the Affies product returning to Titans cricket for the first time since 2018/19, and the mystery wrist-spin of the legendary Tabraiz Shamsi.

Tickets – at just R50 for both matches – are on sale at Ticketpro and ZARbet are giving away ten R1000 cash prizes, free beers and a double ticket for Melkfest in their various competitions. There will also be an autograph signing session after the Titans match.

“It’s great to have access to some proper quality cricketers who are at the cutting edge of global T20 cricket. They raise the standard of everyone else, so this week’s preparation has gone really good and we are ready to go,” Gobind said.

“Donovan Ferreira will be our captain, he has a fantastic cricket brain and I really enjoy his passion for the Titans franchise. And he’s a proper batter, as we saw when he made that four-day hundred against the Dolphins that helped get our season off to such a good start.

“It’s also going to be very exciting to see Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius in action, they are youngsters themselves but they have attracted such a wonderful following of their own youngsters, who just love them.

“T20 is such a fast-paced game, so we want to bat with high intent, play front-foot cricket. Boundary intent is one of many numbers that the analysts measure these days, but the best batters are not just about power, they are also extremely efficient.

“In terms of our bowling, I want us to be the team that does not go away under pressure. People always say bowlers should expect to go for lots of runs in this format, but I don’t want us to have that mindset. We have some really effective bowlers and they should always win the battle in the end,” Gobind said.

The new Pro20 Cup sees the Division I and Division II teams combined into two pools, with the top four in each going through to the Super Eights. The final is set for November 14. So the Sky Blues want to be consistent, but they also want to be at the forefront of the innovation that is constantly changing the shortest format of cricket.

“We want to try and dominate, but we aren’t going to do that by playing run-of-the-mill cricket, we’re not going to stick to any of the cliches about the game. We want to challenge the thinking around T20, the best players do that.

“But consistency is also a thing in the T20 game and that’s what the Momentum Multiply Titans are striving for as well. It’s going to be a great challenge against the Cobras, but the positive is that we understand our conditions. Coastal teams have to adjust to the tempo when they come up here, strategically they need to make slight changes,” Gobind said.

Titans squad: Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Eathan Bosch, Beyers Swanepoel, Leus du Plooy, Keagan Lion-Cachet, Sinethemba Qeshile, Dayyaan Galiem, Tabraiz Shamsi, Junior Dala, Aphiwe Mnyanda, Donovan Ferreira, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka, Janco Smit.

Ruthless finisher starts South African season with exceptional century

The Ball in Play

Sep 21, 2026

Donovan Ferreira is back in South Africa, eager for the new season and daring to believe that he is the finisher the Proteas need for both next year’s ODI World Cup and T20 cricket. And yet it was in four-day, red-ball cricket where he first showed his class this season with an exceptional innings in the Northerns Titans’ opening match.

Ferreira has not been selected for the Proteas squad for the three ODIs against Australia starting on Thursday, but he knows competing with the likes of David Miller and Tristan Stubbs for the finisher role in the Proteas team is a tough challenge. He is full of belief, however, that he certainly belongs in that company. And the 28-year-old is pleased that his season started with a couple of four-day games for the Titans.

He made spectacular use of his first innings back in the country, scoring a magnificent 163 off just 180 balls as the Titans beat the KZN Dolphins by an innings at SuperSport Park. Ferreira came to the crease late on the first day after a powerful Titans attack had dismissed the Dolphins for just 157, but then the home side had been effectively reduced to 125 for five with one batsman retired hurt. He ensured he survived the dozen overs until stumps, but then produced a masterclass on the second day, batting through the entire morning session with Simon Harmer.

Ferreira batted within himself until he reached his century off 143 deliveries, but he is such a ruthless dispatcher of anything loose, whatever the length or line, that he was still scoring fluently against bowlers who were holding sway. He then exploded, lashing 63 runs off his next 37 balls. It was a career-best effort, his fourth first-class century lifting his first-class average to 49.59 after 15 matches.

“This is going to be a big season and I’m glad I’m going to be available for quite a few games for the Titans. The franchise means a lot to me, it’s my base and it’s a chance for me to reset and grow. It’s really nice to be part of the Titans because Albie Morkel [assistant coach] has helped me a lot with my batting, he knows my game well. And I’m pleased to start the season with red-ball cricket because it’s important to have that base for your batting,” Ferreira told kenborland.com.

“In terms of Proteas selection, I can only focus on what I can do. The higher powers have their job to do in terms of selection; my responsibility is to score as many runs as possible. That’s my focus. I will give everything and just try to contribute to the Titans team, share my knowledge and experience from playing T20 around the world.

“In terms of the domestic Pro20, I’m going to put a lot of focus on preparation and backing myself. My role as a finisher is an important one and it’s a diverse role because the situations you come into are not aways the same. I still believe I can contribute to the national team, if you don’t believe that then it becomes a lot harder. I definitely believe I can conquer that challenge,” Ferreira said.

Central to Ferreira’s belief is the fabulous IPL tournament he had earlier in the year. He was able to start 15 games this season for the Rajasthan Royals, having played only two matches for them in 2024 and just once for Delhi Capitals in 2025. His confidence grew and grew as he ended the campaign with 317 runs (75% in boundaries) in 13 innings, at a strike-rate of 179 and an average of 35.

Ferreira was a standout player as the Royals reached Qualifier 2, competing with lethal compatriot Heinrich Klaasen and Australian behemoth Tim David for the most sixes in the death overs (16-20). He has become one of the best in the world at hitting yorkers over the boundary and his fantastic numbers speak to a batsman who has matured, pacing his innings superbly thanks to the mental clarity he has developed.

“The IPL was big for me in terms of performance. I’d sat bench for three years and I was just trying to cement myself when I went back to Rajasthan. Fortunately for me, Sam Curran got injured and that opened a door for me. I had to take the opportunity and thankfully my game was in an improved space.

“Things happen for a reason and I believe it was an important stage of my career. My process now stays the same, I’m used to conditions in India and my spin play has improved. I used those three years to grow me and get ready for the highest level.

“You need stumbling blocks to keep growing and I’ve learnt a lot of lessons through all the ups and downs. Playing a lot of cricket gives you the opportunity to do well. If I stick to my processes, I believe I can really push the bar. I still need to fine-tune one or two things,” Ferreira said.

While the seasoned Miller and the exciting Stubbs currently have the inside lane in the squabble for the finishing role with the Proteas at next year’s 50-over World Cup, don’t underestimate Ferreira’s claims. He is a steely character with audacious skills when it comes to striking a cricket ball, and there was a grim determination in his eyes when he said:

“I missed out on the T20 World Cup earlier this year when I fractured my collarbone, so that was an opportunity taken away, but it was out of my control. For any player, being in a World Cup is the ultimate goal. But I need to keep my focus on the process, just give myself the best opportunity to score runs.

“And then it’s in the selectors’ hands. To play in and hopefully win the World Cup at home would be the absolute ultimate.”

Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has been known to do some daring things, and perhaps Stubbs’s ability to bat in different positions and Ferreira’s added strings to his bow in being able to bowl off-spin or keep wicket will encourage the maverick to do something left-field like picking them both, as well as Miller …