Maharaj to lead KZN into T20 knock-outs

KESHAV Maharaj will take the helm as captain ahead of this weekend’s much-anticipated semi-final and final of the inaugural Africa T20 Cup in Bloemfontein.

The left-arm orthodox and powerful lower order batsman takes over the reins from David Miller, who is on national duty with the Proteas in India. Maharaj takes over the captaincy ahead of his side’s semi-final clash against a strong Northerns line-up, while his Sunfoil Dolphins teammate, Cody Chetty, replaces Miller in the KZN squad.

Young Suncoast Dolphins Academy member, Bruce Kerr, replaces the injured Mishkal Ramsaroop in the only other change to the squad that topped the Pool C table during the group stage.

Having only recently returned from a stint in India himself, where he was a member of the South Africa A squad, Maharaj’s experience at this and franchise level counted greatly in KZN’s round robin efforts as he shone with both bat and ball.

The newly-named captain amassed 88 runs in his three pool stage innings, without losing his wicket and at a strike rate of 220, while his four over spells of 2/15 and 3/13 were pivotal in KZN’s victories over Eastern Province and Namibia respectively.

KZN’s stand-out pool stage performer will now hope to continue his run of good form into the knock-out stages this weekend as he looks to lead his young charges to victory.

However, if KZN is to overcome a Northerns outfit that boasts the likes of Dean Elgar, Theunis de Bruin and Aiden Markram and challenge to become the first name etched onto the competition’s trophy and the R300 000 winner’s cheque, then the side’s new skipper will need to be well-supported.

Squad newcomer, Chetty adds depth to the side’s top order in place of Miller while Maharaj’s fellow pool stage top performers, Cameron Delport, Andile Phehlukwayo, Senuran Muthusamy and Sibonelo Makhanya, will once again need to impress.

The young fast-bowling trio of Brandon Scullard, Jesse Smit and Craig Kirsten also showed glimpses during the pool stage of the encouraging signs that have many of the region talking excitedly and they too will hope to contribute to KZN’s title aspirations.

KwaZulu-Natal takes on Northerns this Saturday, 3 October’s first semi-final at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein at 10am, while KZN’s fellow east coasters, KwaZulu-Natal Inland, face hosts, Free State, at the same venue at 2pm.

The Africa T20 Cup final will then be contested by the two semi-final winners at 10am on Sunday, 4 October, also at the Mangaung Oval.