Dale Steyn explains how SA20 is developing South African cricketers
Suspense Crime, Digital Desk : Former fast bowler, Dale Steyn, stated that SA20 has sped up the development of domestic cricketers in South Africa. This is mainly because SA20 provides international-level facilities and higher exposure. He has highlighted two players to watch out for in the forthcoming season, Jordan Hermann and Nqobani Mokoena.
Dale Steyn, former South Africa fast bowler, believes that SA20 has greatly accelerated the progress of local cricketers. The league offers local players an international kind of exposure, which many don't get to experience at the international level.
Steyn also highlighted that SA20 gives domestic cricketers an idea about the pressures and expectations of playing at the international level. From LED screens and modern speed guns to sponsorship promotions and massive crowds, the competition helps players to get accustomed to all this, an experience they seldom find in local matches.
The former bowler additionally pointed out that even the condition outside the ground are different. Playing against and with international stars helps domestic cricketers gauge the requirements of the sport at elite level and prepare them for the opportunities that lie ahead.
Another plus for SA20, as noted by Steyn, is its role in discovering talent. A strong performance in SA20 is enough to draw attention of overseas franchises.
"SA20 has brought an international feel to a domestic league. When you speak to the players who play in the domestic circuit.. They don't have the opportunity to play with as many cameras, the speed gun is never there, the sponsors around the ground, the LED lights and the crowd isn't there. So, the domestic cricketers are certainly excited about it because a lot of them don't play international cricket and it gives them an IPL and international feel," Steyn informed India TV.
"It's a sell-out crowd and shirts are being sold with your name on the back. It really does give an international feel to domestic cricketers and I think they appreciate that the most. The competition also stretches their name way further than playing here locally. It puts them on the plate for other teams to pick and that's wonderful for them," he added.
Steyn names two players who have been impressing him of late.
Since the launch of SA20, there has been considerable improvement in the domestic pool of talent in South Africa and the local cricketers have had a fair share of international-level experience. Thanks to all this, Proteas has been performing well in white-ball tournaments of late and has given the youngsters like Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs and Kwena Maphaka, a chance to be a part of the South Africa team.
Steyn believes that this step is proving to be beneficial for grooming the next batch of players too. According to him, Jordan Hermann from Sunrisers Eastern Cape should be the one to watch out for in the coming season of the tournament. Last year, the 24-year-old was phenomenal for the side having scored 273 in 12 matches at a strike rate of 137.18. Amongst the bowlers, he believes Nqobani Mokoena can be another breakthrough player.
"One batter to look forward to is Jordan Hermann. Him and his brother Ruben.. Both of them recently called up to the South Africa squad. Nqobani Mokoena from Paarl Royals is SA A team right now, he looks really good," Steyn asserted.
