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League Commissioner Graeme Smith has commended the South African Men’s team for their performance in the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup. He highlighted the heightened positivity surrounding South African cricket, both domestically and globally.
South Africa narrowly lost to India in a closely contested final, and Smith extended his congratulations to the team for their efforts.
“We at Betway SA20 are proud of the Proteas’ achievements at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” Smith said.
“From the outset, the League, alongside Cricket South Africa, has wanted to provide South African cricketers with the opportunity to be exposed to a higher level of domestic cricket where the players are able to rub shoulders and learn from some of the best the game has to offer.
“Coupled with a unique fan experience that has brought the cricket-loving public back to our stadiums to support our heroes on the field, there is now a bridge that joins provincial and international cricket.
“Players are exposed to high-pressure and competitive cricket and this experience stood them in good stead in the US and Caribbean.”
He expressed particular satisfaction in witnessing Ottniel Baartman, the leading wicket-taker in the history of Betway SA20, make his debut on the global stage and perform exceptionally well.
Ottniel is the epitome of a Betway SA20 success story. A relatively unknown player before Betway SA20 that has transformed and grown in confidence due to experiences with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape is phenomenal,” Smith said.
“Despite playing in his very first T20 World Cup, he backed his skills under immense pressure. The four wickets against the Netherlands and the last over against Nepal definitely stands out.”
Smith believes that the Proteas’ performance in the US and Caribbean aligns perfectly with Betway SA20’s overarching goals and objectives.
“People can be positive about cricket in the country again. These are things that are important to us. Smith said.
“Together with Cricket South Africa, we are committed to continuing to provide opportunities and platforms for our players to excel and inspire the next generation of cricketing talent in South Africa.
“Hopefully we have played a role in benefiting South African cricket through the SA20. It has been encouraging to hear players’ positive comments about the League throughout the T20 World Cup, with players crediting the opportunity it has created to contribute to South Africa’s cricketing talent.”
Smith also extended his congratulations to Proteas Men’s T20 captain Aiden Markram for his exceptional leadership throughout the tournament.
“Aiden was particularly good during the tournament. He was tactically astute, had good plans and was brave enough to make the big calls and then get all his players to commit to it,” said Smith.
“We have of course seen Aiden captain in this manner before over the course of the past two Betway SA20 seasons, leading the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to back-to-back championship titles, but now he has transferred this experience to the international arena.
The entire Proteas T20 Cup squad is set to compete in South Africa’s top T20 competition, Season 3, scheduled to run from January 9th to February 8th, 2025.
