Latest news with #WorldChampionshipofLegends
TimesLIVE
26-04-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Standard of domestic cricket not as good as 10 years ago says Aaron Phangiso
While Cricket SA continues to interrogate the merits of the current provincial structure, veteran spinner Aaron Phangiso says the quality of cricket being played last season was well below what he experienced during the six team franchise system. 'I played in a tough era,' said the 41 year old left-arm spinner. 'That standard has gone down.' Phangiso played for a star-studded Titans team and later for the Lions during the franchise era, which CSA did away with in 2021 after 17 years. In making that decision, CSA sited financial challenges, which is ironically the same reason being offered for why the current domestic structure comprising 15 teams split into two divisions, is being reviewed. But Phangiso, who spent last season with the Knights, said a lack of experience outside of the main squads and starting teams, was hampering the development of the SA's young players. 'I feel at the moment, the one thing that SA cricket was so quick to do was get rid of experience early on. When guys reach 35 or 36, they stop playing or they are forced out. "They tell guys about contracts, but forgetting that when I started at the Titans, I was playing with Daryll Cullinan, Martin van Jaarsveld and Gerald Dros — those guys played a massive role. "They were older, but they gave us a chance to learn about the game,' said Phangiso. He had a stop-start international career, playing 21 ODIs and 16 T20Is, but at his peak, Phangiso provided control and was an excellent fielder, especially in the inner-ring. He will be part of the SA Legends team heading to England in July for the World Championship of Legends along with AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Chris Morris. Phangiso explained that when he started for the Titans, he bowled against Herschelle Gibbs, Justin Ontong and former England international Owais Shah, who signed as an overseas pro, and it quickly improved his game. 'You can tell the difference in quality.' 'Most teams in the top division nowadays, have one or two batters and if you get rid of those, then the you can 'manage' the rest. We don't have that strength with the batters,' said Phangiso. 'It's almost the same with bowling attack. Back then, say at the Titans, there was Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Albie Morkel, Ethy Mbhalati, that's a strong attack. At provinces now, there are one or two bowlers, and if you look after them, the rest can be managed. The standard is different.' Bjorn Fortuin's spectacular 5-wicket haul took the DP World Lions to the brink of victory. 🔥🏏 An outstanding finish to the season for him—exceptional bowling, finishing with figures of 5 for 123. 👏 #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #4DaySeries — CSA Domestic Leagues (@DomesticCSA) April 15, 2025 One area Phangiso feels is hurting the local system is the absence of a level below the first team, where players who are out of form can regain their confidence, while assisting younger players who are starting their careers. During the franchise era, teams had a structure below the top teams loosely title semi-professional or amateur where provincial competitions similar to the current structure were played. It allowed those who were not able to crack the first team, to continue play, which a young Phangiso said he found invaluable. 'You could find Pierre Joubert, Dros, Justin Kemp, would play in the 'amateur team' and that gave us the time to learn, but we don't have that now.' 'I was looking at (Keegan Petersen), a guy who's played for the Proteas, after he joined the Titans last season and he couldn't make it into the team for a few weeks. I wondered what he was doing. Sitting at home? Playing club cricket? . "In that amateur system like we used to have, KP would filter down, take time to improve his game, and at the same time five other batters learn from him,' said Phangiso.
Khaleej Times
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Dubai-based group delighted to have Pollard, Bravo for World Championship of Legends
T20 legends Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard will play for the West Indies Champions in the second season of the World Championship of Legends, organisers announced. The West Indies Champions is owned by Ajay Sethi, chairman of the Dubai-based Channel 2 Group Corporation. Sanctioned by the England & Wales Cricket Board, the World Championship of Legends is the only global T20 league for retired professionals, uniting legends from Test-playing countries India, Pakistan, Australia, England, South Africa and the West Indies. Sethi, a prominent Dubai-based Indian businessman, was delighted to have Bravo and Pollard in his team for the World Championship of Legends. 'It's like reliving history. Bravo and Pollard returning together define the golden era of West Indies cricket. These two have been the face of West Indies T20 success for years, and to see them walk out in maroon again is emotional not just for fans, but for the entire cricketing world. This is not just a comeback; it's a celebration of legacy,' Sethi said. Pollard, a former West Indies captain, scored over 11,000 T20 runs in his career, while Bravo was an accomplished all-rounder with 631 wickets and 6,970 runs in T20 cricket. "It's great to be representing the West Indies once again - I'm incredibly excited to play with and against good friends and cricketing legends," Bravo said. "And Polly and I have been good friends for such a long time. Now, we represent our nation once more in the World Championship of Legends."
Express Tribune
30-01-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Sarfaraz to play WCL season two
Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is set to make his highly anticipated return to limited-overs cricket as he joins Pakistan Champions for the second edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL). The wicketkeeper-batter confirmed his involvement with a photo shared on social media, which was tagged by the official Pakistan Champions handle. The Pakistan Champions social media also posted a video confirming Sarfaraz's signing, captioning it: "CAPTAIN. LEADER. LEGEND! Sarfaraz Ahmed is bringing his winning mentality to Pakistan Champions for WCL Season 2." The WCL, a premier T20 competition featuring retired and non-contracted cricket legends, is set to bring together some of the greatest names in the sport. The 37-year-old brings a wealth of experience, not only as a player but also as a leader. Under his captaincy, Pakistan won the 2017 Champions Trophy, defeating arch-rivals India by 180 runs in the final. Under his leadership, Pakistan also won 11 consecutive T20 series. The teams Pakistan defeated during this run included the West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, England, and Zimbabwe. The inaugural season of the WCL saw a thrilling final between India and Pakistan, where India emerged victorious, chasing down a target of 157 runs. Now, the second edition of the tournament is set to take the excitement up a notch. Scheduled to start on July 18, the WCL will feature legendary cricketers from six cricketing nations: India, Pakistan, England, Australia, South Africa, and the West Indies. His inclusion in the Pakistan Champions squad adds further star power to the already competitive lineup. The tournament will kick off with a clash between the England Champions and Pakistan Champions at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham. The much-awaited India vs. Pakistan showdown is set for July 20, also at Edgbaston. The knockout stages will take place on July 31, with the grand final scheduled for August 2.
Express Tribune
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
De Villiers announces return to cricket
Former South African captain AB de Villiers is making his much-anticipated return to the cricket field after nearly four years. The former legend announced his comeback on Tuesday, confirming he will lead the Game Changers South Africa Champions in the second edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL). The WCL, a premier T20 tournament featuring retired and non-contracted cricket legends, is set to showcase some of the sport's greatest stars. De Villiers' return has sparked excitement within the cricketing community, with fans eager to see the versatile and fearless batsman back in action. Reflecting on his decision to return to cricket, de Villiers said, "Four years ago, I retired from all cricket because I just didn't feel the urge to play anymore. Well, time has passed, and my young sons have started playing the game." "We've been playing more and more often in the garden, and, well, it feels as though some kind of flame has been lit again. So I am heading back to the gym and the nets, and I'll be ready for WCL in July," he added. His comeback is set to inject new energy into the Game Changers squad. The team, which featured cricketing legends such as Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir in its inaugural season, now has a bright future with de Villiers at the helm. Amandeep Singh, co-owner of South Africa Champions & Founder of Game Changers, expressed his excitement, saying, "We are honored to compete in the World Championship of Legends and showcase the incredible talent of our cricketing greats. AB de Villiers' return as our captain is a monumental boost for our team, and his leadership will undoubtedly inspire us to new heights." Harry Singh, co-owner of South Africa Champions, echoed the sentiment, adding, "AB de Villiers is not just a player; he's an icon who has inspired millions around the world. His decision to lead our team is a testament to his love for the game, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have him on board. This marks a historic moment for the team and the league."
Express Tribune
28-01-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
AB de Villiers returns to cricket
Listen to article Former South African captain and cricket star AB de Villiers has confirmed his return to the game this July, marking his first appearance since retiring from all formats four years ago. De Villiers, widely regarded as one of the most dynamic batters in cricket history, initially retired from international cricket in 2018. He continued to play in franchise leagues until 2021, when he retired from all forms of the game. Recently, the 40-year-old expressed his desire to return to the field, revealing that his young sons' growing interest in the sport rekindled his passion for cricket. "Four years ago, I retired from all cricket because I just didn't feel the urge to play anymore," de Villiers said. "But time has passed, and my young sons have started playing the game. We've been playing more and more often in the garden, and, well, it feels as though some kind of flame has been lit again." De Villiers confirmed that he will be returning to competitive cricket to lead the South Africa Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. "So, I am heading back to the gym and the nets, and I'll be ready for WCL in July," he added. The World Championship of Legends (WCL) is a unique T20 tournament featuring retired and non-contracted cricketers representing their national teams. The upcoming edition in 2025 will be the second edition of the tournament, following its inaugural edition in 2024, where the Indian team, captained by Yuvraj Singh, emerged as champions. De Villiers' last appearance in competitive cricket was in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, where he played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
