Cape Town (South Africa), Nov 20 (IANS) Proteas legend AB de Villiers is excited ahead of their opening match of the SA20 Season 3 between double champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape and MI Cape Town at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on January 9. With only 50 days to go until the first ball is bowled, de Villiers, the brand ambassador of SA20, on Wednesday analysed the chances of the teams.
The opening match will return to St George’s for a second year running, and De Villiers, who has fond memories of the oldest international ground in the country, feels there could be no better place to kick off an incredible month of cricket.
“St George’s Park has the best atmosphere of all the grounds I feel. Certainly, during my playing days over there, they got right behind me,” De Villiers said. “There is nothing better than playing at St George’s Park. With the band there, there is always music in the background. It’s almost like you have earpods in your ears. Dancing to some tunes while you’re playing cricket.”
The home side, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, have been the standout team over the past two seasons, winning back-to-back titles under the guidance of their dynamic leadership duo of coach Adrian Birrell and captain Aiden Markram.
De Villiers, having played under Birrell for many years with the Proteas men’s team, feels their edge over the opposition is due to their tremendous team ethic and culture created by the Eastern Cape farmer.
“The Sunrisers Eastern Cape have been incredibly successful in SA20 – both seasons’ champions. It is an incredible achievement for them. They will try their absolute best to go three in a row,” De Villiers said.
“I feel their strength lies in their ability to play as a team. It is something Adrian Birrell has achieved over there in the setup, their ability to hunt as a pack. Captain Aiden Markram is calm and composed. You also feel that anyone can chip in at any time. Adi Birrell is a true legend. He brings a lot of calmness and composure. He is a down-to-earth farmer from the Eastern Cape, an absolute legend over there. His humility is what stands out. He never talks down to anyone. He always sees the basics of the game as the most important thing,” de Villiers was quoted as saying in a release on Wednesday.
De Villiers, though, is expecting a crackerjack opening game due to MI Cape Town having bolstered their already power-packed squad with England Test captain and double white-ball World Cup winner Ben Stokes for Season 3. “MI Cape Town are a star-studded team. They have been for the past two seasons, and now with the addition of Ben Stokes, makes that side even better,” De Villiers said.
“But it also shows that the best teams don’t always win championships. I do, however, expect a better performance, looking at that line-up on paper, it’s just pure power,” said the former South Africa captain, considered by many as the best 360-degree batter in the cricket world.
De Villiers, who was part of the SA20 commentary team over the past two seasons, also expects another bumper month of action-packed cricket and incredible entertainment.
“We are 50 days out of Betway SA20 Season 3,” he said. “We all know there was big hype and excitement in the first two seasons. That’s what I am looking forward to the most: big crowds, everyone coming in to support Betway SA20 Season 3. I am urging everyone to come in and have a lot of fun with us.”
–IANS
bsk/
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by BhaskarLive.in and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of BhaskarLive.in We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, BhaskarLive.in takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
