2024 SA20 Predictions

SA20 Squad Preview - Sunrisers Eastern Cape

Simon Lewis

Editor

Last updated: 07 Jan 2024

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Simon Lewis 07 Jan 2024

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Aiden Markram captains Sunrisers again as they seek to retain their title.
Sunrisers lifted the inaugural title in 2023 after finishing 3rd on the table.
The Betway SA20 takes place from 10 January to 10 February 2024.

Aiden Markram will again captain defending champs Sunrisers Eastern Cape. (credit: Phill Magakoe / AFP / Getty Images)

Sunrisers Eastern Cape big name signings

Skipper Aiden Markram picked up the Player of the Series honours last season, finishing third on the runs list (366 runs at 33.27), while Roelof van der Merwe was joint-top wicket-taker along with Pretoria Capitals’ Anrich Nortje, both picking up 20 sticks. The side also picked up the Spirit of the Season award to cap an incredible maiden triumph.

Looking to defend their title, the Sunrisers have recruited a superb mix of six new players. Top of the list is SA-born English international Dawid Malan, the all-time highest-ranked T20 batter in international cricket, with 8 667 T20 runs under his belt. Fellow Englishman Liam Dawson will bring his left-arm spinning skills along with an ability to bat quickly to the squad.

Right-arm Aussie quick Daniel Worrall will bring valuable white-ball experience to the side, while bowling all-rounder Beyers Swanepoel has a strong record in first-class cricket and is developing well as a white-ball star of the future. Swanepoel has a hint of X-factor that could see his star rise if given the chance in 2024.

Some exciting young talent has been brought into the side with the acquisition of leggie Caleb Seleka, along with rookie Andile Simelane, a player with the exciting ability to turn a match with bat and ball.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape team list (as at 5 Jan 2024)

Aiden Markram (captain)

Temba Bavuma

Tristan Stubbs

Jordan Hermann

Sarel Erwee

Adam Rossington

Tom Abell

Dawid Malan

Ottniel Baartman

Marco Jansen

Sisanda Magala

Brydon Carse

Liam Dawson

Simon Harmer

Craig Overton

Ayabulela Gqamane

Caleb Seleka

Beyers Swanepoel

Andile Simelane

Sunrisers Eastern Cape fixtures

10 Jan | (H) | Joburg Super Kings

13 Jan | (H) | Durban's Super Giants

16 Jan | (A) | MI Cape Town

20 Jan | (A) | Durban's Super Giants

22 Jan | (H) | Pretoria Capitals

25 Jan | (A) | Pretoria Capitals

27 Jan | (H) | MI Cape Town

31 Jan | (A) | Joburg Super Kings

2 Feb | (A) | Paarl Royals

4 Feb | (H) | Paarl Royals

Simon is a talented sports writer in South Africa with a strong focus on cricket having played first-team level for UCT, including playing at two Universities Weeks.

From a young age Simon was an avid reader of cricket magazines and books, and went on to be Editor of The Googly, CricketScene SA and SA Cricket, in addition to being a Features Writer on SA Sports Illustrated.

He has interviewed most of South Africa's premier cricketers and was the first writer to interview a teenaged Jacques Kallis.

Simon has also written about English and local football, rugby and cricket, in addition to major international tennis and golf stars and competitions.

You can follow more from Simon at Muckrack, X and LinkedIn.