Ken Borland

Quinton de Kock – Mumbai Indians

He may have admitted to doing very little actual cricket training through lockdown, but De Kock remains one of the most outrageously talented batsmen in world cricket. He will want to pick up from last season when he was the Mumbai Indians’ leading run-scorer and third best overall with 529 at 35.26, including four half-centuries. He will welcome a potential new opening partner in Australian Chris Lynn, giving Mumbai two experienced master-blasters at the top of the order. De Kock has also become a highly efficient, reliable wicketkeeper.

IPL career: 50 matches, 1456 runs, HS 108, Ave 30.33, SR 131.28, 1×100, 10×50; 31 catches, 8 stumpings.

AB de Villiers – Bangalore Royal Challengers

De Villiers may be 36-years-old and out of international cricket for more than two years, but he is still one of the best T20 batsmen in the world and will remain a massive threat for the Royal Challengers. His run-haul from the last two IPL seasons is nearly a thousand runs at an average of 48.52 and a strike-rate of 164.05 with 11 half-centuries. His recent form is also superb, averaging 46.42 with a strike-rate of 152.58 in last season’s Mzansi Super League and his last competitive innings was a phenomenal 61 off 24 balls in the 3TCricket launch in July, when he once again looked the best South African batsman on display.

IPL career: 154 matches, 4395 runs, HS 133*, Ave 39.95, SR 151.23, 3×100, 33×50; 93 catches, 7 stumpings.

Faf du Plessis – Chennai Super Kings

Chennai retained the services of the former South African captain by using their Right to Match card to snatch him away from the Punjab Kings XI for 1.6 crore rupees – more than R3.5 million – and they believe it is a discount. The three-time champions value Du Plessis’ experience, composure and consistency very highly and he has played some vital innings on their way to those three titles. A great team man and fielder to boot.

IPL career: 71 matches, 1853 runs, HS 96, Ave 31.40, SR 126.74, 12×50; 1-0-16-0.

David Miller – Rajasthan Royals

The IPL is one of the toughest schools in cricket and the 31-year-old Miller, having been let go by the Punjab Kings XI, will want to show that he still has what it takes to be a dominant middle-order force for his new franchise, the Rajasthan Royals. The Maritzburg College left-hander averaged a remarkable 61.33 at a strike-rate of 128 for the Durban Heat in last season’s Mzansi Super League, suggesting he still has plenty to offer.

IPL career: 79 matches, 1850 runs, HS 101*, Ave 34.25, SR 138.78, 1×100, 9×50.

Chris Morris – Bangalore Royal Challengers

Under-rated by the Proteas selectors, Morris was one of the top-earning players at the last IPL auction as the Royal Challengers bought him for nearly R22 million, having been a key performer for the Delhi Daredevils. Only picked for last year’s World Cup squad as a late replacement, Morris had a good tournament while most of his team-mates floundered, and the 33-year-old will want to continue to show he can be a matchwinner on the international stage. As an all-rounder Morris has the ability to really hurt the opposition: bowling at good pace with swing and excellent use of the yorker, he can run through batting line-ups or pick up crucial wickets at the death, and as a batsman, he really tees the ball up and is one of the longest hitters in the game.

IPL career: 61 matches, 517 runs, HS 82*, Ave 27.21, SR 157.62, 2×50; 69 wkts @ 24.76, Econ 7.98, BB 4-23, 4i x2.

Lungi Ngidi – Chennai Super Kings

Ngidi has been retained by Chennai despite missing the whole of last year’s campaign due to injury. The 24-year-old fast bowler will be hoping he sets the cats amongst the pigeons again like he did in 2018 when he played a crucial role in the Super Kings winning their third title and was the second-most economical bowler in the competition.

Of brisk pace and gaining unsettling bounce, Ngidi is also bringing ever-increasing skill levels to his game and has shown his ability to keep his cool under pressure with matchwinning white-ball performances for the Proteas.

IPL career: 7 matches, 0 runs, HS 0*; 11 wkts @ 14.18, Econ 6.00, BB 4-10, 4i x1

Anrich Nortje – Delhi Capitals

As far as announcements go in terms of a potential new fast bowling international star, Nortje’s last 18 months have been outstanding and to catch the eye of one of the greatest batsmen who have played the game in Delhi coach Ricky Ponting is certainly a feather in his cap.

Nortje was actually bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders last year, but was ruled out by the same fractured thumb that cost him his World Cup place. His 2020 signing followed the withdrawal of England star Chris Woakes.

Of sharp pace and ever-growing skill, Nortje’s never-say-die determination is what has marked him out as someone special in the early days of his international career.

IPL career: 0 matches.

Kagiso Rabada – Delhi Capitals

Proved an outstanding wicket-taker for Delhi in 2019, with 25 scalps in 12 matches, spearheading the Capitals’ run to the semi-finals. His workload remains something of a pet peeve though and coach Ricky Ponting must be mindful of how he manages the 25-year-old ace. Rabada was disappointingly flat at last year’s World Cup in England, which was after the IPL, and he will be eager to re-establish himself as one of the best fast bowlers in the world on an international stage.

IPL career: 18 matches, 69 runs, HS 44, Ave 11.50, SR 87.34; 31 wkts @ 17.93, Econ 8.13, BB 4-21, 4i x2.

Dale Steyn – Bangalore Royal Challengers

He may be 37-years-old and plagued by injury these days, but Steyn is still attracting the attention of the biggest T20 franchises in the world, having returned for a second stint in Bangalore. That’s because he remains one of the world’s greatest fast bowlers, a joy to watch when he is in peak rhythm, swinging the ball late at pace and showcasing all his wonderful skills. Injuries have limited his high-profile appearances in recent years, but when he has played, he has looked the part and proven a tough proposition for the best of batsmen.

IPL career: 92 matches, 166 runs, HS 19*, Ave 7.54, SR 105.06; 96 wkts @ 24.73, Econ 6.76, BB 3-8.

Imran Tahir – Chennai Super Kings

South Africa’s champion white-ball spinner depicts the passion and innovation of the IPL probably better than any other bowler. From roaring out appeals to his trademark sprint across the field whenever he takes a wicket, Tahir will be eager to show he remains, at the ripe old age of 41, one of the most highly-skilled leg-spinners around in his second season with Chennai.

IPL career: 55 matches, 20 runs, HS 5, Ave 5.00, SR 74.07; 79 wkts @ 20.39, Econ 7.88, BB 4-12, 4i x3.

Hardus Viljoen – Punjab Kings XI

Back in the red of the Kings XI for a second season, Viljoen’s fast bowling packs plenty of punch and he will be the one captain Lokesh Rahul turns to when he wants to dish out some short-pitched bowling to the opposition. Although this is T20 cricket played on flat decks, Viljoen is unlikely to shelve his aggression. He is a hard-hitting batsman who will throw the bedroom dresser at the ball, lashing a 94-ball century last season in a four-day game for the Titans.

IPL career: 6 matches, 3 runs, HS 2*, Ave 1.50, SR 42.85; 7 wkts @ 31.71, Econ 9.65, BB 2-39.

“Trust us” was the anodyne plea made by Cricket South Africa on Thursday to both Sascoc and the cricket-loving public as they continued to try and justify why the complete Fundudzi Forensic Report cannot be made public.

CSA and Sascoc held a joint virtual press conference on Thursday, but far from presenting a unified front, it soon became apparent that the two organisations, both with distressing records in good governance, are at an impasse.

Sascoc president Aleck Skhosana said the mother body of all sports federations in South Africa are still resolved to set up an independent task team to investigate the affairs of CSA, and reiterated that the CSA Board and executive must step aside to ensure they have “unfettered access”.

But that task team will only be appointed after Sascoc have received the full forensic report, Skhosana saying this was necessary “so we don’t put the cart before the horse; if we choose the task team before we might put legal people on there instead of accounting; we need to know what kind of skills are required”.

But CSA are standing firm on their refusal to sideline their Board or executive, and will also only allow Sascoc to view the forensic report on the same basis as the Members Council last weekend – either just in summary form or at one of Bowman Gilfillan’s offices after signing a non-disclosure agreement.

CSA Acting President Beresford Williams said this was for legal reasons.

“It’s on the advice of our legal representatives, who cautioned against releasing it because there is a huge risk that it could compromise future litigation and legal matters that are already in process, plus open us up for future liability. The Members Council resolved unanimously that Sascoc’s access to the report should be under the same conditions as there’s was, in other words a summarised report,” Williams said.

Anne Vilas, the Central Gauteng Lions president and a member of the Members Council, made a plea for that body to be trusted, even though she could not state with 100% certainty whether the summary was written by Bowman Gilfillan, who are CSA’s lawyers and formerly employed controversial company secretary Welsh Gwaza, or by Fundudzi, the independent forensic investigators.

“I have been very vocal about the report but we had very enlightening discussions last weekend and we all understand CSA’s position that it would not be in the organisation’s best interest to make the report public. We don’t want to step on anybody’s rights, but further action will be taken if warranted and we will hold the Board responsible if necessary, you can trust us on that.

“No other investigations have been done to warrant the suspension of anyone other than Thabang Moroe right now, but stuff is going on and things will happen. But unless we firmly believe something is being withheld from us, there is not sufficient reason for the Board to stand down or anyone to resign. There’s nothing stopping any of the directors from standing at the AGM,” Vilas said when asked how the public were meant to believe CSA were not just hiding behind a shield of legal advice.

Williams would not give a straight answer as to whether CSA will comply with Sascoc, after Skhosana outlined the legal powers they have over CSA and their willingness to “take appropriate measures to ensure compliance”.

“Our engagement has been very positive and there has been great dialogue between the parties. We value Sascoc’s role and there’s no doubt that together we will find common ground. we are in engagement and that will continue. CSA responded in detail to Sascoc about our fiduciary duties and we are still engaging and talking to each other. I’m confident that we can move forward and find common ground,” Williams said in a top-class piece of obfuscation.

The former Western Province Cricket Association president also showed a distinct affection for denial when he said he and the other Board members had nothing to be held accountable over.

“I assure you that if there were any cases of concern in the report then we would have stood down. There were no negative findings to threaten the AGM and the Members Council unanimously agree that we should not be held accountable. I took the decision to continue to serve the game I’m passionate about, if I had acted irresponsibly or not in the best interests of CSA as a director then I would have moved on,” Williams said.

But “unanimously” is a word CSA have had a history of not understanding the proper meaning of and, as Skhosana himself said, “All trust has been lost in Cricket South Africa and we see evidence of that on a daily basis.”

The Covid-19 pandemic has been a really fickle broker for Branden Grace’s Major hopes in 2020, first forcing him out of the PGA Championship and now getting him a late spot in the U.S. Open which tees off at Winged Foot Golf Club in New York on Thursday.

Grace had found some great form the week before the PGA Championship and was tied for second midway through the Barracuda Championship on August 1 when he started showing symptoms of Covid-19, had a test done and it came back positive. The 10-day quarantine period meant he missed the first Major of this weird year and it also cost him the chance of qualifying for the U.S. Open.

By the time the cut-off was made for the United States Golf Association’s showpiece event, on August 23, Grace had slipped to 91 in the world rankings due to his two weeks of inactivity and was first alternate for the U.S. Open.

But then last weekend Scottie Scheffler, named Rookie of the Year with seven top-10 finishes and a 59 in the Northern Trust Open, withdrew from the U.S. Open after himself testing positive for Covid-19 and Grace has replaced him in the 144-man field.

“It’s really unfortunate for Scottie, for him to go through what he’s going to go through after having such a great rookie season. I just got lucky with this one and the circle has gone around a little bit. I was really disappointed with the way things initially happened, when I was playing well and then it pretty much cost me the spot to get into the U.S. Open.

“And I couldn’t compete the next week at the PGA, missing that one I was really bummed. But this is my favourite major, the U.S. Open,” Grace said earlier this week at Winged Foot, an iconic course rated one of the toughest tests in golf.

There are seven South African golfers in all teeing it up in the first U.S Open to be held in September since 1913 with debuts for Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Shaun Norris and JC Ritchie, who qualified by virtue of winning last season’s Sunshine Tour order of merit.

This week provides a second U.S. Open start for Erik van Rooyen and Justin Harding, while Louis Oosthuizen will be gunning for his second major title, a second place in the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay being one of four runners-up finishes for the 2010 Open champion.

The 120^th U.S. Open, which will be played without spectators, offers $1 188 000 dollars for the champion.

Controversial Cricket South Africa independent director Dr Eugenia Kula-Ameyaw’s tweet which appeared to threaten sponsors Momentum has landed her in hot water with the sports federation apologising to the financial services provider, distancing themselves from her statement and reporting her to their Social and Ethics Committee.

Momentum announced on Tuesday that they will not renew their sponsorship of men’s one-day cricket with CSA next April, but will honour their contract as title sponsors of the national women’s side through to April 2023. Kula-Ameyaw then sent out a tweet on Tuesday night saying: “Momentum forgets that we invest hundreds millions in Momentum in our SOE investments and pension funds. I remember asking for the BBBEE certificate in my other board. Just check before you make any irrational decision.”

Kula-Ameyaw erred in casting aspersions about Momentum’s transformation credentials because they have had Level I B-BBEE status for the last two years. And her antagonistic approach to sponsors could be seriously damaging to CSA as they desperately try and find new backers during these tough economic times. Given the Board’s existing lack of credibility and now this social media blunder by someone who is tipped to become the Lead Independent Director, even though she was only appointed to the Board on an interim basis in May, more current and prospective sponsors are likely to say getting involved in cricket is not their cup of tea.

“CSA sincerely apologises to Momentum for the unfortunate and unwarranted tweets made by one of our Board members, in her personal capacity. CSA wishes to reiterate that Dr Eugenia Kula-Ameyaw did not act in her professional position as a non-executive board member of CSA. While we respect the personal views of all South Africans, CSA wishes to distance itself from the articulations made by Dr Kula-Ameyaw on Twitter.

“We further wish to reiterate that CSA does not ascribe to the views expressed regarding Momentum and we sincerely value the benefits Momentum and all our sponsors bring in making cricket accessible and inclusive for all South Africans. We thank Momentum for the substantial contributions they have made towards cricket upliftment and the milestones we achieved through their sponsorship,” acting CSA president Beresford Williams said in a statement released on Wednesday.

The CSA Members Council, which has been flexing its muscles against the Board of late, has also reported Kula-Ameyaw’s behaviour to the Social and Ethics Committee.

“CSA is taking this matter very seriously and in light of the reputational damage potentially caused, CSA’s Members’ Council has referred the matter to the Social and Ethics Committee and once all internal processes have been completed, the necessary corrective action will be taken,” the statement said.

Momentum were also baffled by Kula-Ameyaw’s jibe at their transformation efforts.

“We’re not exactly sure what Dr Kula-Ameyaw meant by the comment, since we have been working really hard to transform as a company. We achieved Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment status two years ago, and have retained this status. Our B-BBEE certificate is available on our website.

“In spite of the comment, we are not reconsidering our relationship with CSA. We look forward to continuing our support of the Momentum Proteas national women’s team on their journey to success,” Head of Sponsorships Carel Bosman said.

Kula-Ameyaw has also in the last week on Twitter accused critics of “brown envelope tendencies”, praised the EFF and seemed to indicate she wielded “power” by interfering in selection matters.