Devon Conway expects ‘serious effort’ from Joburg Super Kings in SA20 opener

Rowan Callaghan|Published

SA-born New Zealand star Devon Conway could open the Joburg Super Kings batting with captain Faf du Plessis today. Photo: EPA

The Joburg Super Kings kick off their SA20 Season 3 campaign on Saturday (5.30pm start) with a home match against an MI Cape Town team riding high after humbling champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

The Capetonians’ stunning opening victory in Gqeberha on Thursday was set up by a competitive score of 174/7, owed largely to a rollicking performance with the bat by No 6 Dewald Brevis, whose 57 included six maximums, and all-rounder Delano Potgieter’s 25 off 12 balls.

Potgieter was also the destroyer-in-chief with the ball, as the seamer picked up 5/10 in his three overs to build on a masterful display of swing bowling from Kiwi legend Trent Boult (2/17) as the hosts were skittled for 77 in front of a packed St George’s Park crowd.

There were also fine performances from captain Rashid Khan and the rest of the Cape bowling attack.

MI Cape Town will be confident about finally cracking the play-offs, and building on their opening win in the tournament when they visit the Wanderers on Saturday, considering that the opening win was achieved without bowling spearhead Kagiso Rabada and last season’s leading run-scorer, Ryan Rickelton.

But they will come up against a Super Kings team who begin their SA20 campaign boosted by the inclusion of England wicket-keeper-batter Jonny Bairstow and Kiwi star Devon Conway, who was born in South Africa.

The Super Kings were eliminated in the play-offs by Durban’s Super Giants last season, and Conway – who could open the batting alongside skipper Faf du Plessis – is confident of kicking on this season and featuring in a home final.

“Last year we got pretty close, and this year we’ve got a great squad,” Conway said on Friday.

“There is a huge incentive for us to play here at the Bullring in that final, so I’m sure everyone is going to be putting their hand up, putting serious effort in, and hopefully we get across the line this year.”

MICT’s blistering start to the new season would make them favourites in the eyes of many.

Super Kings all-rounder Evan Jones said: “Any team with momentum in this tournament is going to be dangerous.

“And I think they have four or five local boys as well, meaning Lions players, so they’ll be also familiar with the conditions. So, I reckon they’ll be dangerous.

“But looking at our squad, (it’s) an experienced squad with a couple of good youngsters here and there.

“So, if we just stick to our guns with our game-plan, rock up on the day, it will be exciting what we can dish up.”

The fiery Gerald Coetzee could be key to the Super Kings’ bowling attack, with the skipper admitting earlier that they had missed the all-rounder during last season’s run to the play-offs.

He also expects experienced left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi to add balance to the bowling options, and for Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana to thrive at the back-end of an innings. | Independent Media Sport

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Devon Conway expects ‘serious effort’ from Joburg Super Kings in SA20 opener