Convener of selectors Rafeek Ismail has effectively earmarked duo Duan Jansen and Pheko Moletsane for success during the Free State’s Provincial T20 Cup campaign this month.

Jansen and Moletsane have been named in a squad that includes Knights seamers Shadley van Schalkwyk and Thandolwethu Mnyaka.

‘It was a difficult squad to select, but I think we selected a good and balanced squad,’ said Ismail.

‘We have only selected four franchise players. We could have had five franchise players in the 13-man squad, so there is a lot of responsibility on those guys’ shoulders, but I think we put together a well-balanced squad for the games that will take place in Benoni.

‘It’s exciting times for somebody like Pheko. He played a bit of first-class cricket toward the end of last season and we saw Duan when he played against us for North West. It is going to be a good platform for them to showcase their skills and show what they can do.

‘It’s the start of the new season, so it is difficult to predict what conditions to expect, but what I have come to expect is spinners play a big role and we trust guys like Sean Whitehead, Pheko and Patrick Botha to do the job.’

The tournament used to be called the Africa T20 Cup. Gauteng, who were captained by Proteas batsman Temba Bavuma last year, are the reigning champions after beating Border in last year’s final.

Squad: Patrick Botha (c), Raynard van Tonder, Dilivio Ridgard, Paballo Mogoera, Andries Gous, Romano Terblanche, Thandolwethu Mnyaka, Pheko Moletsane, Duan Jansen, Sean Whitehead, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Siphamandla Mavanda, Johan van Dyk.

Photo: Gallo Images