Northerns Bash boosted by international stars 0
The four players, all of whom have been key figures in the South African T20 side, have each been snapped up by one of the four squads taking part in the tournament, which will be held from September 11-14 at SuperSport Park.
The inaugural Northerns Bash, which was held in April, was won by the Nashua Tshwane Phantoms, led by Titans stars Roelof van der Merwe, Shaun von Berg, Qaasim Adams and Rowan Richards, and they have now been strengthened by the acquisition of fast bowler De Lange.
The Phantoms now have a pace attack – also featuring JP de Villiers – to match the brilliance of their spin duo of Van der Merwe and Von Berg.
The Global Softech Solutions Gladiators, who were beaten in the final by the Phantoms, are mourning the loss of key bowlers Corbin Bosch and Vincent Moore, but they have gained the finishing skills of Behardien and another useful paceman in Sean Nowak of the champion Tuks team.
The TMM Capital Investments Tornados have lost Nowak as well as lanky off-spinner Ruben Claassen, but they have gained the batting talents of Davids and young star Aiden Markram, as well as Bosch and wrist-spinner Thomas Kaber to boost their attack.
Morkel has marched back into Northerns cricket hungry to succeed in all formats and the most experienced T20 player in the land has linked up with the WAD Holdings Pirates and another formidable all-rounder in David Wiese.
Tournament commissioner Pierre Joubert announced a couple of changes to the format of the competition, with ties in the group stages now being decided through a bowl-out, in which all 11 players in a team will bowl at a set of stumps. A super over will be used in the final in the event of a tie.
The teams will also now be aiming for the bonus point on offer if they beat their opposition inside 16 overs or bowl them out for less than 80% of their own total.
The squads had to include at least one rookie, who must play at least 50% of their matches, and a minimum of four players of colour, with two on the field at all times. They were restricted to choosing a maximum of four players from any one club, and only two Northerns players each, although there was no restriction on Titans representatives.
The current squads will be for the next two editions of the Northerns Bash – in September and next April.
Joubert praised the four team sponsors as well as SA Breweries and Protea Hotels “for really buying into the concept in brilliant fashion”.
Squads
Tornados: H. Kuhn, G. van Buuren, J. Dala, M. Mosehle, T. de Bruyn, H. Davids, A. Markram, C. Bosch, G. Linde, T. Easton, T. Kaber, J. Snyman, C. Letcher, S. Phillips.
Gladiators: C. Pienaar, L. Kgoatle, E. Mbhalati, R. Houbert, S. Dickson, F. Behardien, T. Gouws, R. Sadler, M. Coetzee, B. Mahlangu, S. Nowak, R. Eksteen, J. Malan, E. Jones.
Phantoms: R. van der Merwe, S. von Berg, Q. Adams, R. Richards, B. Schraader, M. de Lange, J. de Villiers, J. Brooker, G. Pike, B. le Roux, E. Links, W. Scott, S. Klopper, D. Rossouw.
Pirates: D. Wiese, H. Klaasen, S. Naidoo, T. Khoza, E. Hawken, A. Morkel, T. Koekemoer, R. Claassen, C. Buitendag, J. Jumat, T. Shamzi, W. van Heerden, W. Britz, D. Foxcroft.
Fixtures
Thursday 11 September: 10:00 Gladiators v Phantoms; 1:30 Pirates v Tornados.
Friday 12 September: 10:00 Gladiators v Pirates; 1:30 Tornados v Phantoms.
Saturday 13 September: 10:00 Phantoms v Pirates; 1:30 Gladiators v Tornados.
Sunday 14 September: 10:00 3rd/4th playoff; 1:30 Final.