Temba Bavuma will captain Jozi Stars in the second edition of the Mzansi Super League, which starts on Friday. Bavuma joined the squad this season after playing for Durban Heat in the inaugural edition and succeeds Dane Vilas, who led the Stars to the title last summer.
Bavuma’s appointment is another nod to his leadership credentials, which include captaining the Lions in all formats last season and taking charge of the South Africa A side in India on their recent tour. Bavuma is also the Test vice-captain and is increasingly being seen as a successor to current captain Faf du Plessis in the longest format.
Apart from being South Africa’s flagship T20 tournament, the MSL is also an important part of the pipeline for identifying talent for the international arena. Last season’s top scorer, Rassie van der Dussen, earned a call up to the ODI team, but this season the focus seems to be on captaincy. While Bavuma is being groomed for leadership at the Stars, Quinton de Kock, who is also being touted as a future national captain, was on Monday unveiled as the Cape Town Blitz skipper.
More to follow…