SA20 season two has already raised the bar in star quality

In cricket, there’s a common perception that a great first season is often followed by a poor second. That the flaws will be found out and that heightened expectations won’t be met at the second time of asking. 

In the SA20, currently in the first week of its second season, there have been no signs of slowing down. In fact, the quality of the product has only increased with crowds streaming in at every venue across South Africa, and the standard of cricket amplified.

There are only six teams in the SA20, littered with international superstars, which means the quality of cricket is concentrated. The six venues, with varying climates, altitudes and geographical locations make for an assortment of possible results.

There have already been one-sided high-scoring highveld matches, tight rain-affected Durban clashes and hard-to-chase turners in Paarl.

Over 120 sixes have been struck in one week of action (despite the opening match being rained out).

Leus du Plooy, Romario Shepherd and Tom Abell have pulled off catches worthy of catch of the tournament.

But for all the excellent fielding on the field, off it, there have been a plethora of dropped chances.

A one-handed crowd catch grants a lucky spectator their share of R2-million as part of the off-field entertainment SA20, along with its sponsors, have introduced. Unfortunately, there have been a number of spills in the stands. 

So far, only one Centurion man has made the ball stick after plucking a Will Jacks six out of the air a few days ago.

Lizaad Williams of the Joburg Super Kings. (Photo: sportzpics)

Batters lighting it up

Ryan Rickelton of MI Cape Town. (Photo: sportzpics)

Rickelton on a roll

Lungi Ngidi of Paarl Royals celebrates the wicket of Rilee Rossouw of Pretoria Capitals. (Photo: sportzpics)

Bowlers fighting back