The second season of SA20 is just days away. Proteas players who ditched the 2 match Test series against New Zealand in February for SA20 will play International cricket in the coming days. As a means of preparation for the T20 tournament, SA20 teams have decided to play international matches against Namibia and Netherlands.
Top players like Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee and Reeza Hendricks who feature for Joburg Super Kings will face Namibia for practice matches. The Super Kings will face Namibia for 2 warm up matches on 5th and 7th January at the Wanderers.
This works as a benefit for both the teams. While SA20 teams get match preparation ahead of the tournament. On the other hand, Namibia who will take part in the T20 World Cup will get much needed game time before the mega tournament. Namibia international, David Wiese who plays the SA20 for Joburg Super Kings will also feature in the practice matches.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to play warm-up matches against such quality opposition. It is excellent preparation for the T20 World Cup for which we have qualified. We are very excited about it. Some players will gain recognition through these matches. Our Under 19 team has also qualified for the Under 19 World Cup in South Africa, so we are excited for them as well,” said Rudi van Vuuren, the head of Namibia Cricket told Cricbuzz.
On the other hand, Sunrisers Eastern Cape have gone on to invite the Netherlands Cricket Team for practice matches. The Dutch side who featured in the ODI World Cup will face the Sunrisers on 6th January, Paarl Royals on the 7th and 9th. Finally they will feature against MI Cape Town on Jan 18.
The second season of SA20 is slated to commence on 10th January with Sunrisers Eastern Cape facing Joburg Super Kings.