Sunrisers Eastern Cape coach Russell Domingo says they tried to keep Aiden Markram but are backing Tristan Stubbs to do the job as captain in the SA20.
Markram made a record-breaking R14-million move to Durban’s Super Giants at the recent SA20 auction – briefly the highest price in the competition’s history before being surpassed by Dewald Brevis (R16.5-million) – ending his stint as Sunrisers skipper after back-to-back SA20 title wins.
“It is very painful to lose a player like Aiden Markram. We tried by all means to keep him … obviously within our budget – R14-million was just out of our reach,” Domingo told SportsBoom.co.za.
“He has been an amazing leader and will be sorely missed. But the game must go on, and I believe we’ve built a strong squad regardless.”
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With Markram gone, Stubbs has been named captain – a move Domingo says fits the franchise’s ethos.
“He is extremely passionate about this team. He’s led before with the Warriors and elsewhere, and he’s a fantastic leader He loves playing for this team, and I have no doubt he’ll do a great job.”
Eight players in the new Sunrisers squad currently represent the Warriors, while Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje – both former Warriors – return to play in Port Elizabeth, giving the team 10 players with strong ties to St George’s Park.
“We tried to get as many locally based players with some outside flavour,” said Domingo. “This approach has worked for us before. We’re really happy with the balance in the squad.”
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English pair Lewis Gregory and James Coles, both standouts in the County Championship, were recruited with the help of assistant coach Adrian Birrell’s links to English cricket.
Afghan mystery spinner Amir Hassan Ghazanfar adds an X factor to the attack, while Quinton de Kock and Jonny Bairstow bring heavyweight international experience alongside new skipper Stubbs.
“We got some really good English players – Adrian knows them really well from county cricket,” said Domingo. “Gregory and Coles had really good seasons there. Ghazanfar brings the X factor, and obviously we can’t leave out big players like Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs and Jonny Bairstow. We’ve got a well-rounded team with experience and youth.”
Adding a personal touch to the squad are brothers CJ and JP King, both Warriors players who will now turn out together for the Sunrisers.
“They’re Joburg boys,” Domingo said with a smile. “But both have grown within the Warriors setup. They’re exciting young talents with huge potential. I’m looking forward to working with them.”
Photo: Richard Huggard/Sportzpics
