MSL 2019: 5 Players who can come into South Africa team with a good season

The 2019 edition of the Mzansi Super League (MSL) is all set to get underway on Friday, November 8. The opening match will be played between the Cape Town Blitz and the Jozi Stars at the iconic New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. In the inaugural edition, the Stars emerged as the champions.

In fact, it was the Blitz, whom the Stars defeated in the final by eight wickets. Meanwhile, the tournament is also a chance for a few of the players to break into the South African national team. A few of them have already made their debuts, but are yet to establish themselves at the highest level.

In the article, let’s take a look at five players who can make a South Africa comeback, performing in the MSL:-

1. Janneman Malan

Janneman Malan had an impressive campaign for the Cape Town Blitz in the last MSL. Opening the batting, the Nelspruit-born churned out 305 runs at an average of 33.88. On the backs of his great run, the Blitz topped the points table in the league stage and then became the runners-up.

He also got a couple of half-centuries with a top score of 66. In February 2019, he got his maiden national call-up versus Pakistan. But after two matches where he scored 35 runs, he wasn’t persisted with. In 36 T20s, the 23-year-old has 1,011 runs with two centuries and three fifties at 29.73.

2. Wiaan Mulder

Wiaan Mulder made his ODI debut back in 2017 but has been in and out of the team. Though he has played ODIs and Tests for the Proteas, he is yet to play T20Is. The Gauteng-born last represented South Africa back in March 2019. Mulder will be playing for the Tshwane Spartans in the MSL.

He didn’t get a chance to play last time as he was recovering from an ankle injury. At the age of 21, Mulder is being seen as a handy prospect for the national team. In 30 T20s thus far, Mulder has 331 runs at 20.68 at a strike-rate of 126.81 with three 50s. With his medium pace, he has 21 wickets.

3. Marco Marais

Marco Marais had a disastrous outing in the 2018 MSL. Playing for the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, he could only manage 133 runs in seven matches at a strike-rate as low as 96.37. But in the CSA Provincial T20 Cup, the Worcester-born racked 179 runs in five games at a strike-rate of 143.20.

The 26-year-old also got a couple of fifties to show for his efforts. His overall T20 numbers are jaw-dropping. In 48 matches, Marais has scored 1,276 runs at an average of 35.44 with a strike-rate of 143.20. In his short career, he also boasts of two tons. He is yet to make his national debut though.

4. Thando Ntini

Thando Ntini, son of the dynamic Makhaya Ntini, has been blessed with a deal in the 2019 MSL. The 19-year-old will be turning out for the Paarl Rocks. He was the youngest amongst the six wild-card picks. The seam-bowling all-rounder was selected for the South Africa U19 side at the age of 16.

In 2018, he got a senior provincial contract with Western Province. Back in June, he got a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka Emerging team. In his seven games in T20s, Thando has picked only five wickets and a good season for the Rocks can bring him in the radar of the national selectors.

5. Dane Paterson

Dane Paterson made his debut back in 2017 and has played eight ODIs and four T20Is. But somehow, the Cape Town-born hasn’t been able to deliver the consistent shows. His last match in national colours was against Pakistan in January this year. His last T20 was over a year ago versus Zimbabwe.

In the last MSL, he was a part of the Paarl Rocks where he picked up 10 wickets in 11 matches. He was the joint-highest wicket-taker along with Tabraiz Shamsi and Dwayne Bravo. Paterson was a tad expensive though with an economy of 8.79. This season, he will be turning out for the Jozi Stars.