It is all systems go for the 2022/23 Cricket South Africa domestic season as the North West Dragons strive to improve on their log position in order to stay in division 1.
The eight-team top-tier division will see the team with the least points relegated as the top
team in the bottom-tier gets promoted.
The North West Dragons will be confident of staying up, having signed five new players. Opening batsman, Grant Mokoena will add much needed stability at the top of the order. He returns to the Dragons having last playing for NW in 2015.
Off-spinner, Tumelo Tlokwe, pacer, Kerwin Mungroo, previously a stalwart at the Dolphins as well as Renaldo Meyer (SWD) joins the Dragons this season. Wicket-keeper, Khaya Cotani, who featured in the squad as a non-contracted player, has also been awarded with a contract.
The Dragons have a good balance this season with bat and ball and will hope that they can get off to a good start this year, after injuries to key players hampered their progress last season.
The Dragons can count on the experience of Nicky van den Bergh, Heino Kuhn, Eldred Hawken and Senuran Muthusamy. Wesley Marshall, Shaylen Pillay, Caleb Seleka, Lesego Senokwane and Duan Jansen will also want to want to continue the form that showed in stages last season.
Dwaine Pretorius, Protea contracted player, will once again bolster the squad with bat, ball and his experience on the field.
Former contracted who didn’t make the squad for the 2022/23 season are Nono Pongolo, Eben Botha, Ndumiso Mvelase, Johannes Diseko and Chad Classen.
The Dragons are currently in seventh place on the combined log on 10 points. The ITEC Knights are on 4 points.
The Dragons had a superb one day tournament last season picking up 7 points. Their 4-day form was concerning as they were the only team to register 0 points. An improve in the four day format will go a long way to securing their spot in the first division.
The Titans on 35 points are the runaway leaders in division 1 and they will be the team to beat this season, based on last season’s form.
They have a squad loaded with Proteas an upcoming local talent such as IPL sensation, Dewald Brevis. The Lions also look strong on paper with new acquisitions, Evan Jones and Cameron Delport, who played in the second division last season.
A couple of interesting transfers also occurred this season. Farhaan Behardien has moved from the ITEC Knights to the Paarl Rocks. The talented youngster, Jordan Hermann joins the Gbets Warriors, whilst Eddie Moore leaves the Eastern Cape side for Western Province.
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins have also landed a major coup with the acquisition of all-rounder, Jon-Jon Smuts.
The Domestic Fixtures for the 2022/23 season will be released on Friday, 9 September 2022.
NW Dragons squad: Dwaine Pretorius (Protea contract), Delano Potgieter, Nick van den Bergh, Lesego Senokwane, Senuran Muthusamy, Tumelo Tlokwe, Eldred Hawken, Wesley Marshall, Lwandiswa Zuma, Shaylen Pillay, Kerwin Mungroo, Renaldo Meyer, Khanya Cotani, Caleb Seleka, Duan Jansen, Grant Mokoena, Heino
Kuhn.
Rest of the squads for division 1:
MOMENTUM MULTIPLY TITANS: Lizaad Williams, Theunis de Bruyn, Okhule Cele, Dayyaan Galiem,
Junior Dala, Neil Brand, Sibonelo “Sibs” Makhanya, Corbin Bosch, Aaron Phangiso, Aya Gqamane,
Jiveshan Pillay, Simon Harmer, Heinrich Klassen, Dewald Brevis, Donovon Ferreira, Musawenkosi
Twala.
National Contract: Quinton De Kock, Dean Elgar, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Tabraiz Shamsi.
DP WORLD LIONS: Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Lutho Sipamla, Jonty Rapulana, Ryan Rickleton, Josh
Richards, Dominic Hendricks, Sisanda Magala, Malusi Siboto, Codi Yusuf, Mitchell van Buuren, Levert
Manje, Duanne Olivier, Evan Jones, Cameron Delport, Tladi Bokako.
National Contract: Temba Bavuma, Reeza Hendricks, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen
GBETS ROCKS: Pieter Malan, Ismaeel Gaffieldien, Ferisco Adams, Christiaan Jonker, Siyabonga
Mahima, Ruan Terblanche, Imraan Manack, Shaun von Berg, Clyde Fortuin, Achille Cloete, Hardus
Viljoen, Michael Copeland, Stiaan van Zyl, Khwezi Gumede, Bamanye Xenxe, Hlomla Hanabe, Farhaan
Behardien.
National Contract: Janneman Malan
GBETS WARRIORS: Matthew Breetzke, Wihan Lubbe, Sinethemba Qeshile, Glenton Stuurman, Marco
Jansen, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Lesiba Ngoepe, Rudi Second, Akhona Manyaka, Diego Rosier, Jordan
Hermann, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Tristan Stubbs, Beyers Swanepoel, Ziyaad Abrahams, Kgaudise Molefe.
National Contract: Anrich Nortje
SIX GUN GRILL WESTERN PROVINCE: Kyle Verreynne, George Linde, Tony de Zorzi, Nandre Burger,
Jonathan Bird, Mohamed Vallie, Kyle Simmonds, Wayne Parnell, Beuran Hendricks, Daniel Smith, Dane
Paterson, Ethan Cunningham, Eddie Moore, Aviwe Mgijima, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpogwana.
HOLLYWOODBETS DOLPHINS: Ottneill Baartman, Daryn Dupavillion, Marques Ackerman, Eathan
Bosch, Ruan de Swardt, SJ Erwee, Lifa Ntanzi, Jon-Jon Smuts, Thando Ntini, Bryce Parsons, Grant
Roelofsen, Jason Smith, Khaya Zondo, Tshepang Dithole, Prenelan Subrayen, Andile Simelane.
National Contract: Andile Phehlukwayo, David Miller, Keshav Maharaj, Keegan Petersen.
ITEC KNIGHTS: Mbulelo Budaza, Gerald Coetzee, Patrick Kruger, Jacques Snyman, Migael Pretorius,
Pite van Biljon, Raynard van Tonder, Alfred Mothoa, Nealan van Heerden, Patrick Botha, Aubrey
Swanepoel, Isaac Dikgale, Nhlakanipho Mpungose, Jason Raubenheimer, Gihahn Cloete, Matthew
Kleinveldt.
