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As the SA20 continues to capture the imagination of cricket enthusiasts, Morris pinpointed two names he believes are set to explode on the global stage: Lhuan-dre Pretorius and the Hermann brothers – Jordan and Rubin.
(Left to right): Rubin Hermann, Jordan Hermann and Lhuan-dre Pretorius. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Chris Morris, former South African cricketer and now a commentator for SA20, has seen it all on the cricket field. But nothing excites him more than witnessing fresh talent making waves in the game. As the SA20 continues to capture the imagination of cricket enthusiasts, Morris pinpointed two names he believes are set to explode on the global stage: Lhuan-dre Pretorius and the Hermann brothers.
“It’s difficult to look past Lhuan-dre Pretorius,” Morris said with conviction. “I think he is a serious talent. Probably the closest I’ve seen to Quinton de Kock—I’m talking about a left-handed batter. The shots he plays against world-class bowlers are impressive.”
Pretorius has been a revelation this season at the SA20, finishing as the highest run-scorer in the competition with 397 in 12 matches for Paarl Royals hitting at a stunning strike-rate of 166.80 and was the bedrock for Paarl Royals campaign till the playoffs this season.
The 18-year-old was signed by the Royals as a rookie for Season 2 but had to miss the tournament to represent the South African U19 team at the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup held on home soil.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on South Africa’s top T20 league, Pretorius made a significant impact at the U19 World Cup.
The powerful left-hander emerged as the Junior Proteas’ leading run-scorer, amassing 287 runs at an impressive average of 57.40 and a strike rate of 94.09, which included three half-centuries.
Morris didn’t stop there. He also sang the praises of the Hermann brothers, Jordan and Rubin. “I’m a massive fan of the two Hermann brothers. I’ve played with them, so I’m a bit biased. But Jordan Hermann, in my opinion, has Test cricket written all over him. Rubin has a big future ahead of him,” Morris added.
Rubin, playing for Paarl Royals made 333 runs in nine matches averaging 41.62, while younger brother Jordan made heads turn with his performance for Sunrisers Eastern Cape this season.
The excitement around SA20 was palpable, and Morris attributes its success to the league’s ability to attract top-tier talent and captivate fans. “Everybody loves something new,” he noted. “We’ve got international players coming in—a lot more than we had in the past. People want to watch quality cricket, and now we have the best in South Africa playing against the world’s best.”
Morris highlighted how SA20’s association with popular IPL franchises has boosted its visibility. “The teams that have come in are popular in the IPL. We’re fortunate that Graeme (Smith) has maintained great relationships with the guys from India. This has created a bigger support base, not just here but also in India,” he explained.
The presence of seasoned international players, like Dinesh Karthik, has also been a game-changer. “The guys in the changing room have spoken unbelievably about him. I love his commentary, and I played against him quite a few times. He’s tough and has been a fantastic presence,” Morris remarked.
Karthik was part of the Paarl Royals side that made it the playoff finishing second in the league stages, eventually losing the Qualifier 1 to MI Cape Town and the Eliminator to SEC. Karthik made 130 runs in 11 matches for the Royals added effected two stumpings and five catches behind the stumps.
Looking ahead, Morris remains optimistic about the future of SA20 and its potential to attract even more Indian players. “There’s such a big following of Indian cricket here. It would be amazing if we could pull more Indian superstars into this league. I know it won’t be easy, but it would be fantastic,” he said.