T20 World Cup 2024: Graeme Smith on How SA20 Played Role in South African Cricket Success Story

Former skipper and Cricket South Africa's T20 league commissioner Graeme Smith revealed what kind of a positive impact the SA20 has had on the domestic and international cricket in country, using the success story at the recent T20 World Cup 2024.

South Africa had a near-perfect campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024 under Aide Markram's captaincy with their only defeat coming in the final when India pipped the Proteas by seven runs.

Smith praised the performance of the Proteas Men's team after the recently-concluded ICC T20 World Cup and noted the increased positivity around South African cricket, both locally and internationally.

"From the outset, the league, alongside Cricket South Africa, has wanted to provide South African cricketers with the opportunity to be exposed to a higher level of domestic cricket where the players are able to rub shoulders and learn from some of the best the game has to offer, Smith said in a media release.

"Players are exposed to high-pressure and competitive cricket and this experience stood them in good stead in the US and Caribbean."

Smith added Markram was 'brave' and 'tactically astute' while leading South Africa to their first-ever appearance in the final of the T20 World Cup. And the former captain said it was no surprise as Markram led Sunrisers Eastern Cape to two SA20 titles.

"Aiden was particularly good during the tournament. He was tactically astute, had good plans and was brave enough to make the big calls and then get all his players to commit to it," Smith added.

"We have, of course, seen Aiden captain in this manner before over the course of the past two SA20 seasons, leading the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to back-to-back championship titles, but now he has transferred this experience to the international arena."

Smith also praised on of SA20's stars in Ottneil Baartman for his impressive performances, particularly in the group stage, wherein the right-arm bowler produced measly spells.

"Ottneil is the epitome of a SA20 success story. A relatively unknown player before SA20 that has transformed and grown in confidence due to experiences with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape is phenomenal," Smith said.

"Despite playing in his very first T20 World Cup, he backed his skills under immense pressure. The four wickets against the Netherlands and the last over against Nepal definitely stands out."