Latest news with #SA20League
The Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Amla hopes Proteas' appearance in WTC final can reinvigorate love of Test cricket in SA
'We have the SA20 League, which has created a huge surge of interest among youngsters. The crowds have been packed, and to have a Test team doing well will hopefully create a resurgence of the love of Test cricket. 'It is difficult because youngsters grow up, see sixes and fours and get attracted to the glitz and glamour of T20 cricket. But Test cricket offers other great virtues of discipline, patience and real deep values that it is very healthy to have and aspire to. 'Getting to the final of the competition makes us very proud and very happy. It shows SA are still a force in Test cricket and the world cricketing family.' Amla boasted an excellent record against Australia over his career, scoring five centuries against them, including a best of 196 in a 309-run win at the WACA in 2012. He played 21 times apiece against Australia, India and England and hopes this generation of Proteas stars receive similar opportunities to test their mettle against the best opposition. 'Not long ago, we played Australia every two years, either home or away. That goes for England and India too,' he said. 'We had fixtures which were always of high quality and that helped the players develop their game.
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Amla hopes Proteas' appearance in WTC final can reinvigorate love of Test cricket in SA
Cricket By Hashim Amla hopes the Proteas' appearance at the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord's against Australia can reinvigorate a love of red-ball cricket in SA. Amla was a key cog in a vintage Proteas generation, starring as part of the class of 2012 who sealed their status as the best Test team in the world at Lord's in a match which saw the batter etch his name on the honours board for a second time. The current crop are looking to follow in those footsteps against Australia on the same ground, and Amla stressed the significance of seeing SA on this stage when it comes to reminding the world of the talent in the country. 'SA have been a powerhouse in cricket for many years in all formats. Not long ago we reached the final in the T20 [World Cup],' he said. 'We have had a rich heritage ever since we came back into international cricket. It is extremely important SA are seen and can perform to a standard to be included among the top Test nations. 'We have the SA20 League, which has created a huge surge of interest among youngsters. The crowds have been packed, and to have a Test team doing well will hopefully create a resurgence of the love of Test cricket. 'It is difficult because youngsters grow up, see sixes and fours and get attracted to the glitz and glamour of T20 cricket. But Test cricket offers other great virtues of discipline, patience and real deep values that it is very healthy to have and aspire to. 'Getting to the final of the competition makes us very proud and very happy. It shows SA are still a force in Test cricket and the world cricketing family.' Amla boasted an excellent record against Australia over his career, scoring five centuries against them, including a best of 196 in a 309-run win at the WACA in 2012. He played 21 times apiece against Australia, India and England and hopes this generation of Proteas stars receive similar opportunities to test their mettle against the best opposition. 'Not long ago, we played Australia every two years, either home or away. That goes for England and India too,' he said. 'We had fixtures which were always of high quality and that helped the players develop their game. 'If you are playing against high quality opposition, you will naturally raise your game and judge yourself against the best, so you are always improving.' One Proteas star who has kicked on in recent years is captain Temba Bavuma, a regular source of runs on their route to the final. Amla has been hugely impressed by the skipper on and off the field and hailed the way he has juggled his responsibilities. 'Temba has been amazing,' he said. 'No-one would have given SA a chance of getting to the final when this started two years ago but he has led the team brilliantly and performed outstandingly as a batsman. 'That is one of the important aspects of being captain, not to forget about your batting, so he has done amazingly well to maintain his batting performance and he has taken it to another level. He is the mainstay and most important batter for SA. 'The way he has led, he is tactically very good and he has the respect of the team. The fact they are in the final means he has been doing all the right things.' The Lord's showpiece followed a special night for Amla earlier in the week as he became one of the seven newest inductees into the ICC Hall of Fame. He was joined by his former captain Graeme Smith, MS Dhoni, Matthew Hayden, Sarah Taylor, Sana Mir and Daniel Vettori in being recognised. 'It is a huge honour, not something you ever think about when you grow up playing cricket in the back yard as a passion,' he said.'To be recognised and included alongside some of those names is a bit mind-boggling. 'From a South African perspective, you have guys like Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock in there, and Graeme [Smith] is someone I played with for 70-odd Test matches and was a great leader for us. 'Then worldwide, guys like Matthew Hayden, who I grew up watching destroy attacks around the world, it is amazing and I am so grateful to be included among those names. 'It was a fantastic evening. There were lots of Beatles fans reminiscing about where songs had been recorded and it feels very surreal.'
Int'l Cricket Council
2 days ago
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Amla hopes Lord's appearance can spark ‘resurgence in love of Test cricket' in South Africa
Hashim Amla hopes South Africa's appearance at the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 can reinvigorate a love of red-ball cricket in his homeland. Amla was a key cog in a vintage Proteas generation, starring as part of the class of 2012 who sealed their status as the best Test team in the world at Lord's in a match which saw the batter etch his name on to the honours board for a second time. The current crop are looking to follow in those footsteps against Australia on the same ground and Amla stressed the significance of seeing South Africa on this stage when it comes to reminding the world of the talent which exists in the country. 'South Africa have been a powerhouse in cricket for many years in all formats – not long ago we reached the final in the T20 (World Cup),' he said. 'We have had a rich heritage ever since we came back into international cricket. It is extremely important that South Africa are seen and can perform to a standard to be included among the top Test nations. 'We have the SA20 League, which has created a huge surge of interest among youngsters. The crowds have been packed, and to have a Test team doing well will hopefully create a resurgence of the love of Test cricket again. 'It is difficult because youngsters grow up, see sixes and fours and get attracted to the glitz and glamour of T20 cricket. But Test cricket offers other great virtues of discipline, patience, real deep values that it is very healthy to have and aspire to. 'Getting to the final of this competition makes us very proud and very happy. It shows South Africa are still a force in Test cricket and the world cricketing family.' Amla boasted an excellent record against Australia over his career, scoring five centuries against them – including a best of 196 in a 309-run win at the WACA in 2012. He played 21 times apiece against Australia, India and England and hopes this generation of Proteas stars receive similar opportunities to test their mettle against the same opposition. 'Not long ago, we played Australia every two years, either home or away, that goes for England and India too," he said. 'We had fixtures which were always of high quality and that in itself helped the players develop their game. 'If you are playing against high quality opposition, you will naturally raise your game and you judge yourself against the best, so you are always improving.' One Proteas star who has kicked on in recent years is captain Temba Bavuma, a regular source of runs on their route to the final. Amla has been hugely impressed by the skipper on and off the field and hailed the way he has juggled his responsibilities. 'Temba has been amazing,' he said. 'No-one would have given South Africa a chance of getting to the final when this started two years ago but he has led the team brilliantly and performed outstandingly as a batsman himself. 'That is one of the important aspects of being captain, not to forget about your batting, so he has done amazingly well to maintain both his batting performance and he has taken it to another level. He is the mainstay and the most important batter for South Africa. 'The way he has led, he is tactically very good and he has the respect of the team. The fact they are in the Final means he has been doing all the right things.' The Lord's showpiece followed a special night for Amla earlier in the week, as he became one of the seven newest inductees into the ICC Hall of Fame. London's iconic Abbey Road Studios played host to the ceremony, with the South African star joined by his former captain Graeme Smith as well as MS Dhoni, Matthew Hayden, Sarah Taylor, Sana Mir and Daniel Vettori in being recognised. 'It is a huge honour, not something you ever think about when you grow up playing cricket in the back yard as a passion,' he said. 'To be recognised and included alongside some of those names is a bit mind-boggling, really. 'From a South African perspective, you have guys like Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock in there, and Graeme (Smith) is someone I played with for 70-odd Test matches and was a great leader for us. "Then worldwide, guys like Matthew Hayden, who I grew up watching destroy attacks around the world - it is amazing and I am so grateful to be included among those names. "It was a fantastic evening – there were lots of Beatles fans reminiscing about where songs had been recorded – and it feels very surreal.' ENDS
Gulf News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf News
Kagiso Rabada suspended after drug test: 'I regret my actions'
Dubai: South African pacer Kagiso Rabada left Gujarat Titans midway through Indian Premier League Season 18 citing personal reasons. But on Saturday, the 29-year-old revealed he is serving a provisional suspension after testing positive for a recreational drug — and said he regrets his actions. 'I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down,' Rabada said in a statement released by the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA), the country's players' union. Playing with passion 'I will never take the privilege of playing cricket for granted. This privilege is much larger than me. It goes beyond my personal aspirations. 'I am serving a provisional suspension and I am looking forward to returning to the game I love playing. 'I couldn't have gone through this alone. I'd like to thank my agent, Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Gujarat Titans for their support. I'd also like to thank SACA and my legal team for their guidance and counsel. Most importantly, I'd like to thank my friends and family for their understanding and love. 'Moving forward, this moment will not define me. I will keep doing what I have always done — continuously working hard and playing with passion and devotion to my craft.' Adverse finding during SA20 Rabada played just two matches for Gujarat Titans — who signed him for Rs107.5 million — before abruptly withdrawing from the IPL. While the initial explanation cited 'personal issues', Rabada confirmed that he returned home after an 'adverse analytical finding' was reported from a drug test conducted during the SA20 League earlier this year. Cricket South Africa (CSA) also released a statement confirming the development. 'Cricket South Africa (CSA) can confirm that Proteas Men's right-arm fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has returned an adverse analytical finding for the use of a prohibited substance. The incident is regrettable. However, Rabada has reassured CSA and his fans of his commitment to upholding professional standards and has restated his passion for the sport of cricket and the country he represents with purpose,' CSA said. Pace spearhead with a proud record 'CSA is fully committed to drug-free sport and reminds cricket players — both professional and amateur — of the importance of adhering to all regulations. We are steadfast in our support to all players in this regard,' the release added. Rabada underlined his status as South Africa's pace spearhead and one of the world's finest bowlers when he became the fastest to reach 300 Test wickets in terms of balls bowled, achieving the milestone in October last year.
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Business Standard
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Proteas pacer Rabada faces long-term ban after failing drug test
In a shocking turn of events, Kagiso Rabada, one of the most feared fast bowlers in modern cricket, revealed on Saturday that he is currently serving a provisional suspension after testing positive for a banned recreational drug. His abrupt exit from the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), where he represented Gujarat Titans, had initially been attributed to 'personal reasons'. However, a statement released via the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) has since confirmed the real reason behind his departure. Rabada expressed deep regret for his actions, apologised to his supporters, and emphasised that he is determined to return stronger—vowing that this mistake will not define his career. Rabada had played just two matches for Gujarat Titans—who signed him for Rs 10.75 crore—before abruptly leaving the IPL mid-season. While the official reason was cited as personal issues, the 29-year-old confirmed in his statement that he returned home after an 'adverse analytical finding' was reported from a drug test conducted during the SA20 League earlier this year. In the statement, Rabada did not disclose the exact substance but apologised profusely for what he called an indiscretion. He stressed that this incident, while serious, would not define his future and that he remained committed to his craft. He thanked his family, friends, Gujarat Titans and CSA for standing by him during this tough period. WTC final participation now in doubt With South Africa set to play Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final in June, Rabada's suspension casts serious doubt on his availability. According to WADA regulations, recreational drug use—though not performance-enhancing—can lead to a ban ranging from three months to four years. If Rabada proves the use occurred out of competition and was unrelated to performance, he could receive a reduced ban, possibly as short as two months if he agrees to an approved treatment programme. Rabada joins a long and varied list of international cricketers who have faced disciplinary action due to substance use or similar controversies: South Africa: Herschelle Gibbs, Andre Nel Pakistan: Shoaib Akhtar, Waqar Younis, Mohammad Asif, Aqib Javed, Mushtaq Ahmed India: Maninder Singh, Prithvi Shaw England: Ian Botham New Zealand: Dion Nash, Matthew Hart, Stephen Fleming Rabada remains hopeful Despite the setback, Rabada remains optimistic. He expressed confidence in his support system and vowed to return to cricket stronger. He said he will continue working hard and remain devoted to the game, reminding fans and critics alike that this is only a chapter—not the full story—of his journey.
