Kirsten excited by Durban Heat marquee players
Gary Kirsten is happy that the Heat will have Andile Phehlukwayo and England’s Alex Hales in his team’s colours for this year’s competition.
FOLLOWING the announcement of the marquee players for each of the six Mzansi Super League franchises, Durban Heat coach Gary Kirsten is happy that the Heat will have Andile Phehlukwayo and England’s Alex Hales in his team’s colours for this year’s competition.
Phehlukwayo represented the Cape Town Blitz during the first edition of the MSL last year and has grown into a crucial cog in the Proteas machine over the last eighteen months. He was one of the stand-outs in a disappointing World Cup campaign earlier this year.
“I have watched Andile playing for the Proteas and what has struck me is that he is a big game player,” Kirsten said. “He has good skills and can contribute equally with both bat and ball which makes him an important part of the side.
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“In T20 cricket you have to be able to cover all of your bases and he does that. With that said you need to cover them well and I think that when you have your match-ups against the opposition he will match up well.”
Phehlukwayo plays his domestic cricket for the Hollywoodbets Dolphins based at Kingsmead Stadium and being in a comfortable environment is something that will benefit his game.
“It will be good for him to be back at home in a familiar place and in a space that he is comfortable in.”
Alex Hales has played 60 T20 Internationals and 70 One Day Internationals for England. He will bring with him a wealth of experience and much like Phehlukwayo the 30 year-old Nottinghamshire batsman has a proven track record of winning games for county and country.
“Alex comes to us highly recommended by some of my contacts in the UK,” Kirsten commented. “We are really happy to have him on board at the Durban Heat and we know that he is another big match player. He will be a crucial component of our squad for the competition and we look forward to having him with us.”
Along with these two marquee players, the Durban Heat have retained the services of South African T20 Cricketer of the Year David Miller and Proteas test star Keshav Maharaj for the tournament.
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