The third season of the SA20 League is just around the corner, and the excitement is building as the player auction approaches. The event, scheduled for October 1st in Cape Town, will see 13 slots filled with some of the most talented cricketers from around the world.
Following the pre-signing and retention window, teams will be looking to strengthen their squads by picking up these remaining players. The league’s commissioner, Graeme Smith, has confirmed the auction date, setting the stage for a thrilling competition. The SA20 season 3 is set to take place from January 9th to February 8th, promising a captivating display of cricketing prowess.
The auction will be a hotbed of activity, with a plethora of international stars ready to compete for a spot in the league. Notably, Dinesh Karthik, the retired Indian wicketkeeper batter, became the first player from the country to join the South African league when he signed with Paarl Royals. Other international players who will be vying for positions include Ben Stokes, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Trent Boult, Johnny Bairstow, Devon Conway, Zak Crawley, Rashid Khan, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Adding to the league’s star power, each franchise must select a Season 3 Rookie. Three franchises are also yet to announce their wildcard selection, which must be done before December 30th. With such a stellar lineup of both international and domestic players, the SA20 League promises an electrifying season.
“To have the calibre of international players joining local heroes like Aiden (Markram), KG (Kagiso Rabada) and Heinrich (Klaasen) sets up an explosive season,” stated Smith in a release. “We are also incredibly proud of all the domestic players who have been retained by the teams, including the majority of the rookies who have been incorporated as fully-contracted players for Season 3,” he added.
The teams are now set to finalize their squads, and the upcoming auction promises to be a dramatic and exciting event. Fans eagerly await to see which players will be picked up, and how the teams will shape up for the upcoming season.
