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In an interaction ahead of SA20 Season 3, SA20 Ambassador and former South Africa legend, Jacques Kallis spoke on Aiden Markram’s current form and whether it will impact his captaincy with Sunrisers Eastern Cape. He said “I don’t think his current form will affect his captaincy. It might even motivate him to have a great season and get back into form. He’s a strong character and will want to contribute. As a player, you’re always aiming for a better season than the last, and I’m sure he’ll want to lead from the front."
Kallis continued, "I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a world-class tournament and plays a big role in getting his team into the back end of the competition. I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes about it.”
Speaking about the ‘Impact Player Rule’, Kallis said,“No, I don’t like the impact player rule because I think it takes away from the all-rounder. We’re trying to produce all-rounders in South Africa, and this rule diminishes that role. So no, I wouldn’t like to see it in SA20.” He also spoke on the jam-packed schedule of franchise cricket in the calendar year. He said “I think that’s one of the challenges we face globally. With so many leagues being played, there’s bound to be scheduling clashes.
Kallis added, "It’s tough, but if you provide a good product that attracts viewership and the best players, you can still thrive. Players will want to be part of leagues that stand out. However, we’ll have to accept that overlaps are part of modern cricket.”
It’s going to be tough: Jacques Kallis on whether Sunrisers Eastern Cape can defend title
Kallis shared his views on whether Sunrisers Eastern Cape can defend the title for the third consecutive season. He said “It’s going to be tough. I suppose when you've won the title once, you’ve got that cap on your head, and everybody wants to knock it off. They managed to defend it a second time, which was a great effort. To do it a third time would be even tougher because now everybody is really after you."
He added, "That said, I do think they’ve got the team to achieve it. Their planning has been good, and they’ve got a calm coach who has clicked very well with the side. So, can they win it for a third time? Yes, I believe they can. It will be interesting to see how they go about it.”
While speaking on Marco Jansen and whether he could become a premier all-rounder for South Africa. He said “Absolutely. Marco Jansen is a bowling all-rounder who plays a massive role with the ball but is also a dangerous hitter down the order. He’s won many games with the bat for the teams he’s played for and was a key player for Sunrisers Eastern Cape last season. How they use him with the bat will be critical, as he can vary his approach depending on the situation. He’s a very talented cricketer, and I expect him to have another strong season.”
(With inputs from press release)
