Mzansi Super League 2018: Key Player to watch out for from each franchise

After the disappointment of the winding up of the Global T20 League before it even started, Cricket South Africa came up with a Plan B - The Mzansi Super League. The T20 competition will take place across the cities in South Africa from 16th November to 16th December and will feature local stars as well as players from all over the globe.

A players' draft took place on 17th October with more than 200 international players showing their interest in the new T20 league. Six teams namely Cape Town Blitz, Durban Heat, Jozi Stars, Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, Paarl Rocks and Tshwane Spartans will light up the tournament with as many as 32 matches to be played.

The tournament's pattern commences with a double round robin system with each team playing each other twice. The table toppers will directly book their place in the final while the second and third-placed team will fight it out for a finals berth.

Each team consists of a marquee player and there’s the obvious; a key player to watch out for. We will delve deep and look into players to watch out for from each franchise. Also, let us know which team you will be rooting for.

#1 Cape Town Blitz - Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn

Arguably one of the best fast bowlers in world cricket, Dale Steyn can play a vital role for the Cape Town franchise in the upcoming Mzansi Super League. With hardly any renowned bowlers apart from all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo in their squad, Cape Town will rely heavily on the lanky South African. He is very handy with the bat as well and can tonk the ball a long way if needed.

Off late, Steyn’s career has been marred with tons of injuries but the man from Transvaal has made a sterling return to international cricket after a gap of two years by scoring a maiden ODI fifty against Zimbabwe. He was also impressive with the ball against Australia in the recent ODI series. With good performances so far, Steyn will be raring to go and make a mark in his country’s domestic T20 league.

#2 Durban Heat - Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan

When the draft took place a month back, Durban had the luxury to go first and without hesitation, they pounced on Rashid Khan. Such has been the man’s value, that probably every team would want him in their side. With so many terrific performances across the globe for all his franchises, it is now time for Rashid to prove his mettle in South Africa.

In recent times, Rashid has not only been brilliant with the ball but has shown immense promise with the bat in hand. With so many cameos in recent past for both country and franchises, the Afghan is definitely a player to watch out for.

Also, with the likes of Hashim Amla, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Kyle Abbott and Vernon Philander, this Durban side can pose a threat to all the teams.

#3 Jozi Stars - Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle

The Jozi Stars is filled with stars. One such star is none other than Chris Gayle. The tall and heavy built Jamaican can tear apart any given bowling attack. With a very good Afghanistan Premier League where he not only was amongst the runs but helped his side lift the trophy, Gayle will be eager to continue the good form in the Mzansi Super League as well.

Gayle skipped his national side’s series against India to focus on T20 leagues across the globe. With that being said, Jozi Stars will be delighted to have Gayle for the entire tournament.

On his day, Chris Gayle can single-handedly win games for his side and Jozi Stars will be hoping he can do the same for them. With the likes of Kagiso Rabada and international recruit Dan Christian in their ranks, Jozi Stars look a solid side.

#4 Nelson Mandela Bay Giants - Chris Morris

Chris Morris

The Nelson Mandela Bay Giants are a well-rounded side with players such as Jason Roy, Ryan McLaren, Imran Tahir and Chris Morris at their disposal. Both Imran Tahir and Chris Morris are key players but with Morris having the added skill (batting, of course), he will be the Giants' go-to man.

Chris Morris hasn’t had much international experience due to injuries but the tall all-rounder will be desperate to put his right foot forward in the Super League T20 competition. Morris is very effective with both bat and ball. He gets you wickets when needed and can score runs at a strike rate in excess of 200+. With such amazing skills in his armoury, Nelson Mandela Bay Giants will be hoping for the same from him.

#5 Paarl Rocks - Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo

The champion Windies all-rounder who recently announced his retirement from international cricket will play a pivotal role for the Paarl Rocks franchise in the upcoming Mzansi Super League.

Having announced his international retirement, Bravo stressed on plying his trade in different T20 leagues across the globe, which he has been doing for many years now. A more than useful bowler. Bravo can get you wickets apart from bowling tidy death overs and is an explosive middle order batter.

Bravo is the perfect fit in a team which boasts of players such as Faf du Plessis, Michael Klinger, Tabraiz Shamsi, Paul Stirling, Aiden Markram and David Wiese. Bravo has been out of cricket for a while but the Trinidadian will be eagerly waiting to step onto the cricket pitch and weave his magic.

#6 Tshwane Spartans - AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers

The man needs no introduction and obviously, if you have him in your team, you damn well know he is your key player. Having recently announced his international retirement for South Africa, AB de Villiers sent shockwaves to the cricketing world but when he stated that he will continue to play T20 leagues across the world, people breathed a sigh of relief.

De Villiers has already shown us what he can do on a cricket pitch. Having already done exceedingly well for his IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore, Tshwane Spartans will want the same from him in the Mzansi Super League.

Apart from De Villiers, the team has players such as England international Eoin Morgan, Zimbabweans Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza, Sri Lankan Jeevan Mendis and locals Lungi Ngidi and Dean Elgar.

With all these star players, Mzansi Super League is the one to keep your eyes on.