Ram Slam T20 Challenge 2014/15

The RAM SLAM T20 Challenge is upon us once again. This year will be a little different. Each South African franchise is only allowed one overseas player. Five of the six T20 overseas cricketers will be from the Caribbean, West Indies to be exact, with only one cricketer will be from England.

Nashua Cape Cobras: Kieron Pollard (West Indies)

Sunfoil Dolphins: Dwayne Bravo (West Indies)

Chevrolet Knights: Andre Russell (West Indies)

bizhub Highveld Lions: Chris Gayle (West Indies)

The Unlimited Titans: Darren Sammy (West Indies)

Chevrolet Warriors: Craig Kieswetter (England)

"In my discussions with all the superstars, it has been satisfying to note their eagerness to play in here, as they regard South Africa as one of the best cricket leagues in the world," tournament director Graeme Smith said.

“The triple header concept was a huge success last season and one cannot think of a better way to launch the RAM SLAM competition with a triple header featuring all the Franchise line-ups at the Bidvest Wanderers,” Smith added.

CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat, expressed his delight at the quality of the overseas signings. “We are determined to raise the standard and profile of our domestic cricket and there is no doubt that these top class international players will entertain our fans over the next six weeks,” he said. “With our Proteas stars coming into the competition during the latter stages when they return from Australia the RAM SLAM will be a competition to follow keenly.”

According to Dolphins skipper Morné van Wyk, the Dolphins will not be looking to defend their RAM SLAM T20 title. Instead, they're going for a consecutive title. However, the Dolphins will begin their campaign with Bravo.

Gayle will join the RAM SLAM for the third time in four seasons. He spent his seasons with the Dolphins but this time he joins the Lions. His past injuries should be a concern for the Lions. They are the reason he wasn't available for the Dolphins.

Kumar Sangakkara was going to join the Lions but had to withdraw to join Sri Lanka for their tour of India. Apparently Kevin Pietersen wanted to join the tournament but no teams went for it.

West Indies have no fixtures during the duration of the T20. Which is probably why they are available to play in the tournament.

This may be exciting and highly anticipated by the South African community but the West Indies still have a dark cloud hanging over them after they pulled out of their tour of India due to payment issues.!

For The Fans

The #GetCaughtRedHanded competition will see every fan at the stadium during televised matches stand a chance to win a share of One Million Rand. This competition will also get underway during this weekend’s RAM SLAM Triple Header and spectators attending RAM SLAM televised matches are required to take a clean one handed catch in order to qualify.

TRIPLE HEADER - 2 NOVEMBER 2014

10h00 – Chevrolet Knights vs Chevrolet Warriors

14h00 – Nashua Cape Cobras vs The Unlimited Titans

18h00 – bizhub Highveld Lions vs Sunfoil Dolphins

For a full list of the fixtures go to Cricket South Africa!

Proteas successful tour of New Zealand

In the first One Day International (ODI) South Africa successfully chased down 230 runs and recorded a 6 wicket victory with 11 balls to spare. AB de Villiers and JP Duminy compiling a 139 run partnership.

The second ODI was similar to the first. After losing the toss to New Zealand, South Africa posted 282-9. New Zealand failed to reach the required target and South Africa won the match by 72 runs and the 3-match series 2-0.

In the third and final ODI, South Africa were on their way to posting another challenging target for New Zealand to chase down. South Africa would have completed a whitewash over New Zealand.

Although the Proteas were the better of the two sides, New Zealand's Luke Ronchi was the highest run scorer. He may not have scored a century but he scored 178 runs in his matches. Ronchi scored 2 half centuries and had a high score of 99, just 1 shy of a century.

Hashim Amla and de Villiers also scored big, with only 10 runs separating them. Amla scored 169 runs, and scored the only century of the series, which was his 16th ton. He high scored with 119 runs. De Villiers scored 159 runs, although he did not score a century, he scored an unbeaten 89*. Both these South African skippers were named man of the match for their high scores.

Earlier today Quinton de Kock appeared to be on track for his 4th century of his career before the rain intervened and forced a no result. De Kock was on 80* when play was called off after striking 11 fours. In the first ODI, he took 6 dismissals to join cricketers such as Adam Gilchrist, Mark Boucher and many others. In 27 ODIs de Kock became the fastest to reach 50 ODI dismissals.

Unfortunately, top order batsman Rilee Roussouw only scored 26 runs and was the only player to be dismissed with a duck twice.

None of the bowlers really starred with the ball. The most wickets taken by a single player was 4. South Africa's Vernon Philander, Imran Tahir and New Zealand's Trent Boult each took 4 wickets. Philander had good bowling figures of 2-27.

We all knew de Villiers could bowl. But he usually bowled during Test cricket. In the second ODI, de Villiers took two wickets for 28 runs in 6 overs.

The Proteas head to Australia for their tour which consists of 3 T20's and 5 ODIs.

The first match being on the 5th of November in Adelaide.

AUSTRALIA

5 November: 1st T20 , Adelaide

7 November: 2nd T20 , Melbourne

9 November: 3rd T20 , Sydney

14 November: 1st ODI, Perth

16 November: 2nd ODI, Perth

19 November: 3rd ODI, Canberra

21 November: 4th ODI, Melbourne

23 November: 5th ODI, Sydney