Renewable energy storage is a critical element in the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable energy system. As more renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are integrated into the grid, the need for effective storage solutions increases. There are several different forms of renewable energy storage, each with its own unique characteristics and capabilities.

Pumped hydroelectric storage is a mature technology that involves pumping water uphill to a reservoir when excess electricity is available, and then releasing it downhill through a turbine to generate electricity when demand is high. Pumped hydroelectric storage can provide large amounts of power for extended periods of time, but it requires a significant amount of water and a suitable topography, which limits its potential locations.

Batteries are another form of renewable energy storage, allowing electricity to be stored in chemical form and then released as needed. There are several different types of batteries that can be used for renewable energy storage, including lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and flow batteries. Lead-acid batteries are inexpensive and have a long lifespan, but they are heavy and have a lower energy density compared to other types of batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in consumer electronics and are becoming increasingly popular for renewable energy storage due to their high energy density and long lifespan. Flow batteries are a newer technology that uses liquid electrolytes to store energy, and they have the advantage of being able to store large amounts of energy for extended periods of time. However, they can be expensive and require careful maintenance.

Thermal storage involves using excess renewable energy to heat a substance, such as water or molten salt, which can then be used to generate electricity when demand is high. Thermal storage can be an effective way to store large amounts of energy over long periods of time, but it can be costly to implement and requires careful management to ensure the safety and stability of the storage system.

Hydrogen can also be used as an energy carrier, with renewable energy being used to produce hydrogen through the process of electrolysis. The hydrogen can then be used in a fuel cell to generate electricity, or it can be stored for later use. Hydrogen has the advantage of being able to store a large amount of energy in a relatively small volume, but it can be difficult and expensive to produce and store, and there are safety concerns associated with its handling and transport.

In conclusion, renewable energy storage is an essential component of the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable energy system. There are several different forms of renewable energy storage, each with its own unique characteristics and capabilities. As we continue to develop and deploy new technologies, it is important that we carefully consider the pros and cons of each option in order to make the most effective and cost-effective choices.
[Submitted by Vince Rubiera]

Big Concerts International confirmed today that UB40 will be returning to South Africa in 2023. They will be performing in Cape Town on 30 May at Grand Arena, GrandWest, Durban on 1 June at the Durban ICC, and on 3 June at SunBet Arena, Time Square in Pretoria

The Discovery Bank pre-sale for the South Africa dates begin Wednesday 7 December at 9:00 AM local time through to Friday 9 December at 8:59 AM from www.ticketmaster.co.za. Sign up for your Discovery Bank Card today and get tickets to the biggest concerts before everyone else with Discovery Bank.

Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Friday 9 December at 9:00 AM local time from www.ticketmaster.co.za.

UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell will add another chapter to a story that began in the Birmingham suburb of Moseley in 1979 when UB40, taking their name from the form given to individuals claiming unemployment benefit, started putting an indigenous British slant on Jamaican reggae. After reaching number four in the charts with King / Food For Thought, the multi-racial band released their debut album Signing Off in 1980. During their career they have sold in excess of 70 million records and topped the UK singles chart on three occasions – with Red Red Wine in 1983; I Got You Babe (a duet between Ali and Pretenders singer and long-standing UB40 champion Chrissie Hynde) in 1985; and (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You in 1993. Two of those hits, Red Red Wine and (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You, also went to number one in the USA. Lead singer Ali Campbell joined Birmingham singer and toaster Pato Banton to top the UK charts again with Baby Come Back in 1994. Paying homage to the songs that inspired them, UB40 also released three volumes of the Labour Of Love series, covering Jamaican standards such as Eric Donaldson's Cherry Oh Baby and Lord Creator's Kingston Town.

Ali is joined by his incredible 9-piece band and will be honouring long time member Astro who sadly passed in 2021. Whilst a handful of songs from the forthcoming album will feature alongside favourites from the Labour Of Love series, Ali is keen to include older numbers such as King (about the legacy of American Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King) and One In Ten (about unemployment in the UK) that are, unfortunately, as timely today as when they were first sung in 1980 and 1981.

'We put King back into the set because it's so bloody appropriate,' says Ali. 'We wrote it 40 years ago, but it's still representative of what’s happening in America. It's depressing that nothing has changed. It's the same with One In Ten in the UK. With the impact the coronavirus had on jobs, we could soon be looking at unemployment figures on a par with the early Eighties.” Those songs will feature in a show we've been honing for the past 12 years.

‘We'll always play the classics, like Red Red Wine and (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You, but we like to change the beginning and end of the show. We'll play Lean On Me and maybe add three or four new songs. The band members are all fantastic musicians and we've climbed back up to the biggest venues in the past 12 years.'

“UB40 FEATURING ALI CAMPBELL”
South Africa 2023 Dates

30 May 2023 Grand Arena, GrandWest, Cape Town
1 June 2023 Durban ICC, Durban
3 June 2023 Sunbet Arena, Times Square, Pretoria

South Africa PR Contact: Dionne Domyan-Mudie | +27 (0) 833261776 | @

TOUR INFORMATION:

Cape Town
Tuesday 30 May 2023
Grand Arena, GrandWest, Cape Town
Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.co.za from 9 AM (SAST), Friday 9 December 2022

Durban
Thursday 1 June 2023
Durban ICC, Durban
Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.co.za from 9 AM (SAST), Friday 9 December 2022

Pretoria
Saturday 3 June 2023
SunBet Arena, Time Square, Pretoria
Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.co.za from 9 AM (SAST), Friday 9 December 2022

For complete tour and ticket information visit www.bigconcerts.co.za.

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Big Concerts and Live Nation Comedy confirmed today that due to popular demand, a second Kevin Hart ‘Reality Check’ Tour date has been added to the SunBet Arena, Time Square, Pretoria show run. NEW DATE: Saturday 18 February 2023. Brought to you by 947.

Show days include Friday 17 February 2023 and NEW date Saturday 18 February 2023.

The Discovery Bank pre-sale is currently running and finishes at 8:59 am Friday 2 December. Sign up for your Discovery Bank Card today and get tickets to the biggest concerts before everyone else with Discovery Bank.

The general on-sale begins Friday 2 December at 9:00 AM exclusively from Ticketmaster.

Emmy & Grammy nominated Kevin Hart is currently touring “Reality Check” globally with his known gold standard stand-up material and has shattered box office records everywhere. Hart launched his career as a comedian during an amateur night at a local comedy club. Over the years Hart has become Hollywood’s box office powerhouse, opening eleven films at number one at the box office and grossing more than in $4.23 billion global revenue. Hart has also become a successful Entrepreneur; he is Chairman of HARTBEAT; a global, multi-platform media company creating entertainment at the intersection of comedy and culture with a mission to keep the world laughing together. The next generation media company unites Hartbeat Productions’ best-in-class TV & film production capabilities with Laugh Out Loud’s expansive distribution network, along with its marketing, sales, experiential, branded content, digital and social capabilities. Hart is also the Founder of HartBeat Ventures. Together, these companies play an integral role part in building Hart’s eco-system for extraordinary growth and creativity. Hart continues to develop, star, and produce feature films, television, and podcasts via HARTBEAT for his various partners which include Netflix, Peacock, Sirius XM and Audible. In 2020 Hart released his seventh hour long stand-up special, “Zero Fu**ks Given,” which quickly became Netflix's biggest stand-up special of 2020 and earned him a Grammy nomination for “Best Comedy Album”. Hart also earned Emmy nominations for “Die Hart,” for “Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series” along with an Emmy nomination for his Docu-series, “Don’t F**k This Up”. Kevin is a New York Times Best Selling author twice over and his first Audible original, “The Decision,” was nominated for an Audie award for “Best Original Audiobook in 2021.” Kevin is a founding partner in two companies: the premium tequila brand Gran Coramino, and plant based quick serve restaurant Hart House. Kevin’s brand partnerships include Gran Coramino, Hart House, Fabletics Men, Chase J.P Morgan, Hydrow, NutraBolt, Brüush, Tommy John and Therabody.

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Johannesburg, 29 November 2022 – Africa Cares Tennis Challenge which was set to take place this coming weekend at the DP World Wanderers Stadium has announced that the event will now be moved to Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre, still in Johannesburg.

The organisers of the Africa Cares Tennis Challenge have announced that due to the unexpectedly low ticket sales, they have decided to move the event to a smaller venue, which is more in-line with what the event stands for; which is to develop and promote tennis in South Africa, to all communities.

There were also concerns around forecasted weather causing delays in the building of the court structure, should the event still have taken place in the stadium. The Arthur Ashe Tennis facility has existing tennis court structures and has hosted many international tennis events.

Arthur Ashe was an (and remains the only) African American professional tennis player who won three Grand Slam singles titles. Arthur was an author, teacher, and activist who fought for civil rights and racial equality, not only in the United States but worldwide, particularly against the apartheid systems of South Africa. He was also the first black tennis professional player to play in South Africa’s National Championship.

The Arthur Ashe Stadium was erected in 1974 by him and was recently refurbished which sees current programmes at the centre that focus on both tennis and academics, something that Africa Cares Tennis Challenge is passionate about and feels that it aligns with its values.

Africa Cares Tennis Challenge aims to use sports as a vehicle to promote an international awareness-raising campaign for No Violence against Women And Children. The event is set to bring international and local tennis players including World Number 2 tennis player Ons Jabeur, former Swiss tennis player Martina Hingis, German-Jamaican Dustin Brown, American Sloane Stephens who has already arrived in South Africa this past weekend, South African Tennis players Khololwam Montsi and Isabella Kruger, British tennis player Francesca Jones, and Karolina Pliskova who is from the Czech Republic.
South African award-winning television presenter, radio personality, actress and social media personality, Bonang Matheba is set to be the official host of the event on both days.


[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Emmy & Grammy nominated Kevin Hart is currently touring “Reality Check” globally with his known gold standard stand-up material and has shattered box office records everywhere. Hart launched his career as a comedian during an amateur night at a local comedy club. Over the years Hart has become Hollywood’s box office powerhouse, opening eleven films at number one at the box office and grossing more than in $4.23 billion global revenue. Hart has also become a successful Entrepreneur; he is Chairman of HARTBEAT; a global, multi-platform media company creating entertainment at the intersection of comedy and culture with a mission to keep the world laughing together. The next generation media company unites Hartbeat Productions’ best-in-class TV & film production capabilities with Laugh Out Loud’s expansive distribution network, along with its marketing, sales, experiential, branded content, digital and social capabilities. Hart is also the Founder of HartBeat Ventures. Together, these companies play an integral role part in building Hart’s eco-system for extraordinary growth and creativity. Hart continues to develop, star, and produce feature films, television, and podcasts via HARTBEAT for his various partners which include Netflix, Peacock, Sirius XM and Audible. In 2020 Hart released his seventh hour long stand-up special, “Zero Fu**ks Given,” which quickly became Netflix's biggest stand-up special of 2020 and earned him a Grammy nomination for “Best Comedy Album”. Hart also earned Emmy nominations for “Die Hart,” for “Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series” along with an Emmy nomination for his Docu-series, “Don’t F**k This Up”. Kevin is a New York Times Best Selling author twice over and his first Audible original, “The Decision,” was nominated for an Audie award for “Best Original Audiobook in 2021.” Kevin is a founding partner in two companies: the premium tequila brand Gran Coramino, and plant based quick serve restaurant Hart House. Kevin’s brand partnerships include Gran Coramino, Hart House, Fabletics Men, Chase J.P Morgan, Hydrow, NutraBolt, Brüush, Tommy John and Therabody.
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Johannesburg, South Africa, 22 November 2022 – Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova also affectionately known as the #AceQueen by being the world’s best-serving female tennis player since 2015, is coming to South Africa! Pliskova will be playing at the Africa Cares Women’s Tennis Challenge that is set to take place on the 3rd and 4th of December at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
The former world number 1 of the Women’s Tennis Association is the new replacement of Romanian Tennis player, Simona Halep at the Africa Cares Tennis Challenge who is currently dealing with her suspension.
Karolina Pliskova who won her first WTA Tour Title in 2013, whilst beating Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the finals is ecstatic to not only showcase the necessary skills and discipline required to be a successful tennis player but using tennis as a vehicle for change on devastating issues such as gender-based violence.
“I am always happy to be a part of a good cause hence why I started my charitable project #AceQueen. So being a part of Africa Cares Women’s Tennis Challenge which is not only about tennis but is also a campaign on putting a spotlight on stopping gender-based violence in South Africa is commendable to be a part of whilst playing a sport I love,” said Karolina Pliskova.

the former world number one first-ever Czech female player is British tennis sensation, Francesca Jones. The 22-year old won three consecutive matches at the Australian Open in 2021, which helped her qualify for her first grand slam.
Francesca, who is born with a rare genetic condition called Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia (EED) syndrome (she was born with three fingers and a thumb on each hand, three toes on her right foot and four toes on her left) has been an inspiration to many. This has not stopped her from participating and becoming a rising tennis star and is taking this opportunity at the Africa Cares Women’s Tennis Challenge to inspire those who feel as though they are limited because of any condition they have.
“As a person living with EED, I faced many obstacles but this did not stop me from participating in a sport that I enjoy. I am glad I get to show that to the crowd in South Africa and hopefully also help those who are experiencing any form of obstacles that anything is possible if you put your mind to it,” said Francesca Jones.
Joining Francesca Jones and Karolina Pliskova will be tennis players Sloane Stephens, Ons Jabeur, Dustin Brown, Martina Hingis, Khololwam Montsi and Isabella Kruger.

For those interested in watching this tournament live, tickets are available for purchase on https://www.ticketpros.co.za/portal/web/index.php

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Afrikaans is Groot performed in front of 80 000 people over 9 evenings.

Some of the great performances were from Demi Lee Moore, Riana Nel, Elandre, Karlien Van Jaarsveld and a host of South Africa's best singers.

After a two year hiatus due to Covid, crowds were more than ready to return and were not disappointed.
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Ticket sales for SA20’s summer of cricket and entertainment opened in grand style in Johannesburg on Monday.

SA20 Commissioner Graeme Smith and South African music icons Sho Madjozi, Mi Casa and DJ Timo ODV showed the media and special guests in attendance how cricket and entertainment will merge to form a blockbuster inaugural SA20 League next year.

Priced between R50 and R200, fans will get to see captivating young talent like Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs and Donovan Ferreira play alongside seasoned veterans like ICC Men’s T20 World-Cup winning captain Jos Buttler, Faf du Plessis and Kagiso Rabada. There will be free entry for kids under six with scholars and pensioners eligible for a 30% discount.

SA20 will provide a non-stop “sportainment” vibe from 10 January when Newlands hosts the opening local derby match between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals, with Johannesburg's Wanderers Stadium due to host the grand final of the inaugural season of the 33-match tournament on 11 February.

“The momentum is building,” League Commissioner Graeme Smith said. “We have worked closely with the franchise teams to develop competitive ticket pricing where the public can attend more than one match. We invite lovers of cricket, those looking for a social day out with friends and families to all join us in January and February for a taste of SA20. It is going to be memorable.’’

Madjozi turned a standard press conference upside down when she interrupted renowned comedian Joey Rasdien and the proceedings, treating everyone to a lively music concert.

Fellow South African band MiCasa and selected DJ’s were also there to hype up the excitement as the six new SA20 franchises were showcased to the public.


“I’m so happy to be here. Cricket is a big passion of mine, and being able to merge it with my music and global franchise brands has me so excited for SA20. I can’t wait for the matches to start,” said Madjozi.

All 33 matches will be broadcast exclusively live on SuperSport in Sub Saharan Africa and Viacom18 Sports, India’s newest sports network, to India’s cricket-loving and passionate fanbase.

Fans should be on the lookout for ticket specials in the lead-up to the event, with all six venues offering limited offers to get involved in cricket’s biggest party including . the opportunity to turn fours into sixes, with ‘six for the price of four’ ticket specials running across all venues.

“Fans can look forward to quality and competitive cricket from the world-class players participating, add to that the presence of a host of newly crowned ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions including Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Sam Curran, Phil Salt and Harry Brooks, and we are set for explosive entertainment,” Smith said.

Each of the six SA20 franchises will have five home and five away matches, with games played every day, including eight double-headers spread around the country.

SA20 will be bringing a distinct flavour to the stadium experience, where cricket lovers, party people and families can gather for world class cricket. DJ’s, live musical performances, giveaways, prizes, big screens, fan cams, fun for the kids and a whole lot more packed into three hours of explosive entertainment.

SA20 tickets will go on sale from Monday, November 14. All tickets can be purchased online through the Ticketpros website here



Some of the key fixtures to look out for:
• Opening week
Tuesday 10 January
MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals (Newlands 17h30 SAST)

Wednesday 11 January
Durban’s Super Giants vs Joburg Super Kings (Kingsmead 17h30 SAST)

Thursday 12 January
Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Pretoria Capitals (St George’s Park 17h30 SAST)

Friday, 13 January
Paarl Royals vs Joburg Super Kings (Boland Park, 13h30)
MI Cape Town vs Durban Super Giants (Newlands, 17h30)

Saturday, 14 January
Pretoria Capitals vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape (Centurion, 13h30 SAST)
MI Cape Town vs Joburg Super Kings (Newlands, 17h30 SAST)

• Highveld Derbies
Tuesday,17 January
Joburg Super Kings vs Pretoria Capitals (Wanderers, 17h30 SAST)

Wednesday,18 January
Pretoria Capitals vs Joburg Super Kings (Centurion, 17h30 SAST)

• Second half of SA20 begins

Friday, 3 February
Joburg Super Kings vs Paarl Royals (Wanderers, 13h30 SAST)
Durban’s Super Giants vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape (Kingsmead 17h30 SAST)

Saturday, 4 February
Pretoria Capitals vs MI Cape Town (Centurion 17h30 SAST)

• Semi-Finals
Wednesday, 8 February
1st Semi-Final (Johannesburg, 17h30 SAST)

Thursday, 9 February
2nd Semi-Final (Centurion, 17h30 SAST)

• Final
Saturday 11 February
Wanderers 16h30 SAST


PHOTO CREDIT: SA 20
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Players from six different teams have been named in the Upstox Most Valuable Team of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

Stars from champions England, runners-up Pakistan, semi-finalists India and New Zealand as well as Zimbabwe and South Africa all feature in the glittering line up.

Captain, wicketkeeper and opening batter Jos Buttler, fellow opener Alex Hales and seamer Sam Curran all make the cut for England after helping steer their side to a second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title.

There are also spots for New Zealand star Glenn Phillips, India talisman Virat Kohli – the tournament’s leading run-scorer – Pakistan left-armer Shaheen Shah Afridi and Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza in the line-up.

The side was pulled together by a selection panel featuring commentators, former international players and journalists Ian Bishop (Convener), Mel Jones (both commentators), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (ICC Hall of Famer), Partha Bhaduri (Journalist, The Times of India), Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager of Cricket).

The Upstox Most Valuable Team of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 (in batting order) is:
1. Alex Hales (England) – 212 runs at 42.40
2. Jos Buttler (c/wk) (England) – 225 runs at 45.00 and nine dismissals
3. Virat Kohli (India) – 296 runs at 98.66
4. Suryakumar Yadav (India) – 239 runs at 59.75
5. Glenn Phillips (New Zealand) – 201 runs at 40.20
6. Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) – 219 runs at 27.37 and 10 wickets at 15.60
7. Shadab Khan (Pakistan) – 98 runs at 24.50 and 11 wickets at 15.00
8. Sam Curran (England) – 13 wickets at 11.38
9. Anrich Nortje (South Africa) – 11 wickets at 8.54
10. Mark Wood (England) – 9 wickets at 12.00
11. Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan) – 11 wickets at 14.09
12th player: Hardik Pandya (India) – 128 runs at 25.60 and eight wickets at 18.25

Hales was featuring in his first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup since 2016 but rediscovered his fluency on the big stage with an impressive set of performances. The power-packed opener racked up a haul of 212 runs at a healthy average of 42.40 to help propel his team to victory in Sunday’s final in Melbourne. Hales struck a brilliant 86 not out to fire England to a memorable 10-wicket victory against India in the semi-finals, with Buttler also hitting a similarly eye-catching 80 not out as his side chased down an imposing target of 169 with ease. And further innings of 52 and 47 against New Zealand and Sri Lanka in crucial Super 12s matches proved equally significant to help England on their way to becoming the first country to hold both the ICC Men’s World Cup and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup titles at the same time.

England skipper Buttler was in similarly blistering form throughout the competition, scoring 13 runs more than his opening partner at an average of 45.00. He led from the front with that fine innings against India in the last four, while a further knock of 73 off 47 balls against New Zealand helped cap a potent opening partnership that consistently laid the foundations for the eventual champions.

Batting at No.3 is Indian superstar Kohli, who ended as the tournament’s highest run-scorer after scoring 296 runs at a stunning average of 98.66. Kohli kickstarted his campaign with a pivotal 82 not out against rivals Pakistan to anchor his side to a heart-thumping final-ball four-wicket victory.
And further knocks of 64 not out against Bangladesh, 62 not out against the Netherlands and 50 against England in the semi-finals helped round off an individual competition to savour for one of the greatest white-ball batters of the modern era.

Fellow Indian Yadav slots in at No.4 after finishing as the tournament’s third-most prolific batter with 239 runs overall.
Three half centuries against the Netherlands – 51 not out in Sydney – South Africa – 68 in Perth – and Zimbabwe – 61 not out off just 25 balls in Melbourne – helped haul his side into the semi-finals as he scored at a staggering strike rate of 189.68 throughout his six innings.

New Zealand star Phillips and Zimbabwe ace Raza occupy the No.5 and 6 positions, with Phillips’ stunning century – one of just two in the tournament alongside South Africa’s Rillee Rossouw – against Sri Lanka catapulting his team to a comfortable 65-run victory in Sydney. Another innings of 62 against England helped him reach a total of 201 runs at an average of 40.20, while for Raza, 219 runs and 10 wickets proved pivotal assets for Zimbabwe with both bat and ball.
He scored a polished 82 off his 48 balls in his country’s opening game against Ireland in Hobart, before further batting contributions against Scotland, Netherland and India – bolstered by a brilliant three for 25 as Zimbabwe stunned Pakistan in Perth – rounded off a tournament to remember.

Completing the middle order is Pakistan all-rounder Shadab, who grabbed an impressive 11 wickets at an average of just 15.00. The skilful leg-spinner bagged three-wicket hauls against Zimbabwe and the Netherlands, while a further four combined wickets against South Africa and Bangladesh saw him emerge as one of the tournament’s most influential slow bowlers. And he was similarly impressive with the bat, striking a solid 92 runs at an average of 24.50 to help fire his side to the final in Melbourne.

Curran and Nortje line up at No.8 and 9, with England ace Curran being crowned Player of the Tournament after a series of spellbinding bowling displays. The left-arm seamer claimed remarkable figures of 3 for 12 off his four overs in the final after getting his tournament underway with a similarly scintillating five for 10 against Afghanistan.
And further two-wicket displays against Ireland and New Zealand helped him grab a haul of 13 wickets at an average of 11.38 as England claimed the title in style. Another bowler who starred was pace ace Nortje, who functioned as a vital weapon in South Africa’s armoury after finishing with a tournament-best average of just 8.54. Nortje conceded just 94 runs while in the process of taking his 11 wickets as four scalps against both Bangladesh and Pakistan helped him become one of the competition’s most fearsome bowlers.

Rounding off the side at No.10 and 11 are fellow pace bowlers Wood and Afridi, who took nine and 11 wickets respectively for England and Pakistan. Despite being ruled out of the semi-finals and final through injury, Wood’s consistency throughout the Super 12s – spearheaded by three wickets against Afghanistan and Ireland – saw him finish the tournament with an average of just 12.00. And for Afridi, who also suffered an unfortunate injury in Sunday’s Final, his figures of four for 22 against Bangladesh and three for 14 against South Africa helped him emulate his new-ball heroics in last year’s tournament as Pakistan were narrowly denied in Melbourne.

Taking his place as 12th man is Indian all-rounder Pandya, who starred with both bat and ball by racking up 128 runs and eight wickets. The dangerous middle-order ace blasted 63 against England in the semi-finals after also taking key wickets against Pakistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe throughout the Super 12s.





[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

The much-anticipated SA20 blasts off with an exciting Western Cape derby between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals at Newlands Cricket Ground on Tuesday, 10 January. The full match schedule of 33 matches to be played at six venues across the country was announced today, with only two months to go until the start of South Africa’s premier T20 League.
MI Cape Town will look to captivate the Newlands faithful with their star-studded line-up that includes Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada, Afghanistan spin maestro Rashid Khan, England’s six-hitting specialist Liam Livingstone, and South Africa’s teenage sensation, Dewald Brevis among others.
The Royals have assembled an equal galaxy of stars that is headlined by England white-ball captain Jos Buttler, along with his Lords’ 2019 World Cup-winning teammates Jason Roy and Eoin Morgan. They will be joined by Proteas trio David Miller, Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi, who are under the guidance of former Proteas all-rounder JP Duminy as head coach.
The opening game, along with the remaining 32 matches, will all be broadcast exclusively live on SuperSport in Sub-Saharan Africa and Viacom18 Sports to India’s cricket-loving and passionate fanbase.
“Releasing fixtures for the opening season is a milestone for us all at SA20," League Commissioner, Graeme Smith said. “It’s all getting very real, we certainly can’t wait to watch the world’s best go head-to-head. Fans can look forward to the blockbuster schedule kicking off with the popular local derby between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals on 10 January.
“Fans will be able to watch the best local and international T20 stars live in action at prime viewing times for the afternoon and evening matches. This is also an ideal broadcasting slot ensuring viewers around the world can also keep up with the enthralling entertainment,” Smith explained.
The action is relentless with the SA20 caravan moving around the country for two weeks, with at least one game every single day until Thursday, 24 January. Each team will play five home and five away matches, with fans finally getting a taste of what the IPL-owned teams will be bringing to the local flavour.
Among these matches is five visits to St George’s Park where the Sunrisers Eastern Cape and their 12th man, the famous brass band, will ensure every visit to Gqeberha is a memorable one.
The first Highveld derby between the Joburg Super Kings and Pretoria Capitals is set for the Wanderers Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, 17 January. The JSK squad is brimmed with speed merchants Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, West Indian Alzarri Joseph and England’s George Garton who are all set to steam in at the Bullring. The Capitals will be equally up to the challenge, with Proteas speedsters Anrich Nortje and Wayne Parnell leading alongside Ireland’s Josh Little.
Everyone will be able to catch their breath for a week towards the end of January when the League takes a break for the three-match One-Day International Series between the Proteas and England. The action resumes at Kingsmead for the clash between hosts Durban's Super Giants and MI Cape Town on Thursday, 2 February.
Lance Klusener’s men will look to make their home-ground advantage count as this will be the first of only two matches played at Kingsmead in the second half of schedule with the remainder of the games all taking place at Wanderers and SuperSport Park in Centurion due to the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup to be hosted in South Africa in February.
The grand final will be staged at the Wanderers on Saturday, 11 February, where the first-ever SA20 Champions will be crowned.
“The Wanderers has hosted many memorable finals throughout the years, we expect a full house in attendance to watch the first-ever SA20 Champions lifting the trophy. We are thankful to have the buy-in from all six franchises to make this season a success and we look forward to making this inaugural season of the SA20 something special for the fans!”

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]