MSL 2019: 3 Players to watch out for in the tournament

The South African summer is underway and just like most nations, their own franchise-based T20 league is here as well. The second season of the Mzansi Premier League (MSL) is all set to kickstart which is also named as MSL 2.0. The defending champions Jozi Stars take on the Cape Town Blitz in the opening game of the tournament. It’s the repeat of last year’s final.

While the first season was sort of a hit, senior South African cricketers are expecting the MSL to revive the drooping domestic circuit in South Africa. Hence, it is an opportunity for the budding and fringe players to showcase their talent and come up the ranks in South African cricket. It provides them with an opportunity to play with some of the big stars in international cricket, including the ones from South Africa and all over the world.

Thus, with the tournament starting on the 8th of November, here are three players to watch out for:

Rassie van der Dussen (Jozi Stars)

It’s been a fantastic last 12-13 months for Rassie van der Dussen. Ever since he made his T20I debut last October, he hasn’t looked back. A fifty on debut, top-scorer in the MSL, a 93 on ODI debut and one of South Africa’s few shining lights in the World Cup.

In the MSL last year, van der Dussen amassed 469 runs at an average of 58.62 as he led the charge with the bat for the eventual champions, Jozi Stars. These runs came at a strike-rate of 138.75. He’s been fabulous in ODI cricket as well. He is South Africa’s leading run-getter this year – 664 runs at an average of 73.77.

Van der Dussen also played the Global T20 in Canada where he scored 208 runs at an average of 52.00 and a strike-rate of 161.24. The 30-year-old has also started the domestic season with a bang as he’s struck two fifties and a 154 not out in three first-class games. Hence, he’s been in fine form and will be looking to make it big once again.