Jason Rowles (Imag credit: SA20)
The SA20 Season 5 auction saw established international stars and promising young players attract big bids, but it was an 18-year-old who emerged as the biggest talking point in Johannesburg on Wednesday. South African Under-23 prospect Jason Rowles became the most expensive player bought at the auction after Joburg Super Kings (JSK) won a fierce bidding battle with MI Cape Town. JSK paid $174,248 USD for Rowles, making the teenager the standout signing of the auction.
Seeing an 18-year-old spark the biggest bidding battle of the day tells you how much the franchises believe in the next generation. The 42-year-old attracted strong interest from JSK and MI Cape Town before JSK secured him for $162,286 USD. Pollard was bought for $90,162 USD and will add power-hitting and experience to the Super Kings squad. MI Cape Town also spent heavily, signing Proteas all-rounder Wiaan Mulder for $156,274 USD. They also brought in West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer for $90,162 USD and added New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult, along with 21-year-old Oliver Whitehead.
Jason Rowles was the highlight of the day for me. That’s the pathway we set out to build, and it’s hugely encouraging to see it working. Rowles’ signing also highlighted the SA20’s focus on developing South Africa’s next generation of cricketers. Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was another major signing at the auction. Du Plessis will return to the Wanderers, where he has played during the first four seasons of the SA20. He will also have experienced company at JSK, with West Indies T20 great Kieron Pollard joining him.
It was only last year that he was participating in the Final of the rain Schools SA20 and today he will get to be a part of a squad consisting of some of the world’s best T20 stars.
Three-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape completed their 19-player squad with Proteas left-arm seamer Nandre Burger and England all-rounder Craig Overton.