CAPE TOWN – Amidst much trepidation and excitement, Cricket South Africa (CSA) hosted a Mini-Draft in Cape Town on Saturday, in order to allocate the eight international marquee players to teams, ahead of the T20 Global League Main Player Draft event due to take place the following day.
The players who are eligible for the main draft are those who entered a binding agreement to enter the Draft.
The League is now ready for take-off.
Each franchise owner was asked to make their pick during the live event, with the first international marquee player chosen for the inaugural competition being Kieran Pollard by the Bloem City Blazers.
Speaking from the event, CSA President Chris Nenzani said: “One has been able to sense the growing tide of anticipation and excitement as the T20 Global League has started to become a reality.
“I am sure the one thing all cricket fans are waiting to know is the names of the world-class players, both from South Africa and abroad, who will be turning out for the various franchises.
The Knighting Ceremony has started & #UniverseBoss has joined the #KnightRiders family again! Can't wait to see him in purple & gold. pic.twitter.com/C0bTvI3Txn
— CapeTownKnightRiders (@CTKRiders) August 26, 2017
“It is indeed highly rewarding for CSA to see the number of quality players from abroad who want to be part of the Global League and this confirms South Africa’s standing as a world-class venue for sport and entertainment,” he said.
Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation Gert Oosthuizen expressed his firm support for the League.
“It feels so good to be a South African tonight. The franchise owners have committed to working with the cities and reaching out to the communities they work in. We believe that the South African T20 Global League is important in developing young talent, and will reduce the gap between domestic and international cricket in South Africa.
Our Protea Marquee player @faf1307 chats about the newest member of the Monarch family - Lasith Malinga #SlingaMalinga #SBMonarchs pic.twitter.com/Lj8K3TM9m3
— SB Monarchs (@SBMonarchs) August 26, 2017
“The time has come for South Africa to provide the stage for our players to showcase their talent, in South Africa, our country that made the impossible, possible,” he said.
The Main Player Draft will take place on Sunday and will consist of 16 rounds, with eight selected picks in each round.
The final list of all players and teams will be found on the #T20GL social media platforms as soon as the Player Draft has taken place, and on the website www.t20.gl
International Marquee Players
Kieron Pollard: Bloem City Blazers
Jason Roy: Benoni Zalmi
Chris Gayle: Cape Town Knight Riders
Eoin Morgan: Durban Qalanders
Brendon McCullum: Joburg Giants
Kevin Pietersen: Nelson Mandela Bay Stars
Dwayne Bravo: Pretoria Mavericks
Lasith Malinga: Stellenbosch Monarchs