The Proteas narrowly lost to India by seven runs in the final as Smith wished to congratulate the team. “We are proud of the Proteas’ achievements in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.” he said.
"From the beginning, the league, together with South African cricket, has wanted to give South African cricketers the opportunity to be exposed to a higher level of domestic cricket where players can rub shoulders and learn from some of the best in the game. game has to offer.
“Along with a unique fan experience that has brought the cricket-loving public back to our stadiums to support our heroes on the field, there is now a bridge linking provincial and international cricket. "The players are exposed to high-pressure, competitive cricket and this experience stood them in good stead in the United States and the Caribbean," he added.
Smith was particularly pleased to see that the leading wicket-taker in SA20 history, Ottniel Baartman, had made his debut in an overall masterpiece and excelled.
"Ottniel is the epitome of an SA20 success story. A relatively unknown player who has transformed and gained confidence through his experiences with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape is phenomenal. Despite playing in his first T20 World Cup, he backed up his skills under immense pressure. "The four wickets against Holland and the last one against Nepal definitely stand out," he said.
The 43-year-old feels the Proteas' results in the US and Caribbean directly support the overall goals of SA20.
"People can once again be positive about cricket in the country. These are things that are important to us. Together with Cricket South Africa, we are committed to continuing to provide opportunities and platforms for our players to excel and inspire the next generation of cricket talents. In South Africa.
"We hope to have played a part in benefiting South African cricket through SA20. It has been encouraging to hear the positive feedback from players about the League during the T20 World Cup, and the players credit the opportunity it has created to contribute to the talent of South African cricket," Smith said.
He also wanted to congratulate Proteas men's T20 captain Aiden Markram for his superb leadership skills during the tournament.
"Aiden was particularly good during the tournament. He was tactically astute, had good plans and was brave enough to make important decisions and then get all his players to commit to it. Of course, we have seen Aiden captain like this before during the tournament over the past two SA20 seasons, leading the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to back-to-back championship titles, but has now transferred this experience to the international level,” the former Proteas captain said.
The entire Proteas T20 Cup squad will participate in Season 3 of South Africa's premier T20 competition, starting from January 9 to February 8, 2025.
"From the beginning, the league, together with South African cricket, has wanted to give South African cricketers the opportunity to be exposed to a higher level of domestic cricket where players can rub shoulders and learn from some of the best in the game. game has to offer.
“Along with a unique fan experience that has brought the cricket-loving public back to our stadiums to support our heroes on the field, there is now a bridge linking provincial and international cricket. "The players are exposed to high-pressure, competitive cricket and this experience stood them in good stead in the United States and the Caribbean," he added.
Smith was particularly pleased to see that the leading wicket-taker in SA20 history, Ottniel Baartman, had made his debut in an overall masterpiece and excelled.
"Ottniel is the epitome of an SA20 success story. A relatively unknown player who has transformed and gained confidence through his experiences with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape is phenomenal. Despite playing in his first T20 World Cup, he backed up his skills under immense pressure. "The four wickets against Holland and the last one against Nepal definitely stand out," he said.
The 43-year-old feels the Proteas' results in the US and Caribbean directly support the overall goals of SA20.
"People can once again be positive about cricket in the country. These are things that are important to us. Together with Cricket South Africa, we are committed to continuing to provide opportunities and platforms for our players to excel and inspire the next generation of cricket talents. In South Africa.
"We hope to have played a part in benefiting South African cricket through SA20. It has been encouraging to hear the positive feedback from players about the League during the T20 World Cup, and the players credit the opportunity it has created to contribute to the talent of South African cricket," Smith said.
He also wanted to congratulate Proteas men's T20 captain Aiden Markram for his superb leadership skills during the tournament.
"Aiden was particularly good during the tournament. He was tactically astute, had good plans and was brave enough to make important decisions and then get all his players to commit to it. Of course, we have seen Aiden captain like this before during the tournament over the past two SA20 seasons, leading the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to back-to-back championship titles, but has now transferred this experience to the international level,” the former Proteas captain said.
The entire Proteas T20 Cup squad will participate in Season 3 of South Africa's premier T20 competition, starting from January 9 to February 8, 2025.
