Star players expected to shine as PSL resumes

IF Victor Mpitsang and the rest of the selection panel wanted to silence the critics of their World Cup selection, they’d have been pleased with what the South African spinners delivered in the opening T20 International against Sri Lanka yesterday.

Bjorn Fortuin, playing just his seventh match for the Proteas this year, was the most controversial selection for the T20 World Cup. It wasn’t about Fortuin’s ability. It’s rather the fact that Fortuin had played so little in 2021, while George Linde had played more and done so successfully, seemingly booking his ticket for the UAE. Instead yesterday Linde carried drinks.

The other less controversial choice for the World Cup was that of Keshav Maharaj. He may not have played a T20 International before this game, but such has been his form in the last 12 months that it’s clear the 31 year old has an influential role in the Proteas dressing room.

He also continued with the captaincy for the T20 series having taken over from Temba Bavuma after the first ODI, and again showed excellent tactical awareness. With ball in hand Maharaj was magnificent in keeping the Sri Lankans bogged down.

In all Fortuin and Maharaj – albeit in just one match – went some way towards taking the pressure off Mpitsang for choosing them for the World Cup. Maharaj’s four overs cost 19 runs, and included a wicket with his first ball. Fortuin took a wicket with his last ball, bowling the Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka, and he conceded just 24 runs in four overs. The two left arm spinners bowled 23 dot balls between them.

The platform for South Africa’s win was provided by the batsmen, with the returning Quinton de Kock (36) and Reeza Hendricks (38) sharing an opening partnership of 73 off 59 balls.

Both fell to Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. However Aiden Markram and David Miller – who like De Kock missed the One-day series – provided the innings with impetus.

Markram's 48 off 33 balls included one four and two sixes. Miller made 25 off 15 balls. The duo’s fourth wicket partnership was worth 65 runs, coming off only 35 balls and getting South Africa to a total that was just above par at the vast Premadasa Stadium.

Despite Sri Lankan opener Dinesh Chandimal making an unbeaten 66 the hosts failed to keep up with the required scoring rate.

The second match will be played on Sunday

The Dstv Premiership season will resume today after the international break, and teams will play the third round of matches. After the opening two rounds, eight teams are undefeated. We look at four players capable of ensuring that Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows come away unscathed in the weekend’s two heavyweight Premiership bouts.

Dolly’s killer feeds to Kaizer Chiefs strikers could destroy Downs.

Dolly, arguably the plum signing of the season, has served notice that he is ready to spearhead Chiefs’ quest for Premiership honours after six lean seasons. At the start of the season, there were question marks about his match fitness. However, he seemed to have remedied the situation and made a run-on appearance in Chiefs’ last match against Baroka. He won the man-of-the-match award after guiding Chiefs to victory. When he goes up against his former team Sundowns, he will be inclined to raise his game. Dolly’s killer passes can prove destructive, especially when he synchronises his efforts with Khama Billiat.

As last season’s PSL Footballer of the Season and Players Player of the Season, Shalulile will be singled out for special attention. Chiefs know he is a deadly finisher and a goalmouth poacher of note, even when half chances emerge. He is a pivotal figure, and when he misfires, Sundowns suffer. Two weeks ago, Shalulile missed a sitter, and Sundowns had to settle for

a goalless draw against lowly Chippa United. He has had two good outings for Namibia in World Cup qualifiers recently, and brings good form to Loftus. He has boundless energy – even when setting off on his weird goal celebrations.

The Bafana Bafana discard, Thulani “Tyson” Hlatshwayo, has yet to attain his best form since joining Pirates from Bidvest Wits a season ago. He now wears the captain’s armband, and he is, judging by his latest comments, determined to lead from the front. He has been encouraged by co-coach Mandla Ncikazi who has sung his praises recently. He is nevertheless the rock in Pirates’ defence and due for a standout performance. With his experience, Pirates can rely on him to keep a tight rein on Swallows’ free-running attackers, who would love nothing more than to thrive in the spotlight of today’s Soweto derby against Moroka Swallows in Orlando.

The Gamildien curse struck last month at Orlando Stadium. Pirates, the defending MTN8 champions, were knocked out after a brace of Gamildien goals.

The ageing striker scored the goals just days after being snubbed by Kaizer Chiefs, who decided against signing him. Gamildien has now set his sights on landing a contract at Pirates, and what better chance he will have than

CRISTIANO Ronaldo will make his second debut for Manchester United when they host Newcastle United in the Premier League today, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said, but he did not confirm if the Portuguese forward would start.

Ronaldo rejoined United from Juventus on a two-year deal and will be looking to add to his 118 goals at the Old Trafford club where he won eight major trophies in six seasons.

Solskjaer said Ronaldo’s return had lifted the mood at United and the 36-year-old, who had “trained all week”, brought with him a winner’s mentality.

“He’s been having a good pre-season with Juventus, played with the national team, had a good week with us. He’ll definitely be on the pitch at some point, that’s for sure,” Solskjaer told reporters yesterday.

“We’ve got mutual respect for each other, but he knows I’ve got to make the decisions when to play (him), when not to play. It’s my job to get the best out of to repeat his heroics in Orlando again. He will be tightly man-marked, and if not, Pirates will pay the penalty. He has made no secret that he performs best against the “Big Guns” and will be out to torment the Buccaneers again.

A heartbroken Imran Tahir has stated that Proteas coach Mark Boucher “has not contacted me once since becoming national coach”, while also having to “chase after” convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang as the mist starts clearing on the omission of South Africa’s “free agents” for the T20 World Cup.

Tahir remains as passionate as ever to represent the Proteas, claiming that even at 42 “I am still working hard and sacrificing a lot to play for my country”.

The veteran leg-spinner was, however, omitted along with former captain Faf du Plessis and all-rounder Chris Morris, from the 15-man Proteas squad for the T20 global jamboree set to be held in the United Arab Emirates and Oman next month.

Tahir has not been called up to a Proteas squad since retiring from the 50-overs format at the 2019 World Cup.

“The lack of communication with Tahir, in particular, is in complete contrast to the way Boucher managed AB de Villiers’ potential return to the Proteas. Boucher and De Villiers had numerous talks about the former captain making a U-turn on his international retirement.

When De Villiers eventually told Cricket SA that “once for all, that his retirement was final”, Boucher openly stated, “As a coach, I needed to try and get our best players, for the team and the environment.”

Tahir is South Africa’s second highest T20I wicket-taker with 61 scalps at an average of 14.08 and economy rate of 6.56 and was along with De Villiers named as the only Proteas in the ICC ODI Team of the Decade.

Tahir further claims that Cricket SA Director of Cricket Graeme Smith had “promised” him that he would be included in the squad for T20 World Cup that was originally meant to be played in Australia last year during their initial talks during the first lockdown before a complete breakdown of communication occurred.

“After a few months I texted Smith and Boucher and nobody replied to me. Since Boucher has become coach he has not contacted me once to tell me what his plans are. It’s really sad, man. I served the country for a 10 years, I think I deserve a little more respect than these guys thinking I’m worthless.”

Tahir, who is currently playing in the Caribbean Premier League, then attempted to contact national limited-overs captain Temba Bavuma in the hope of opening up some form of communication with the powers-that-be.

The Pakistani-born tweaker remains a prominent performer in all the major T20 leagues around the world, highlighted by his sensational hat-trick whilst playing for the Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred competition in England last month.

The Proteas have, though, instead placed their spinning faith in World No1 T20 bowler Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin, with Smith saying, “We felt Imran had a great run, he is still being successful but we are confident in the current crop of spinners we are developing and we felt we should give them the opportunity.”

Keagan Dolly (Chiefs)

Peter Shalulile (Sundowns)

Thulani Hlatshwayo (Pirates)

Ruzaigh Gamildien (Swallows)