South African cricket might be going through a tough time lately, but JP Duminy and Dale Steyn are optimistic that the next month's Mzansi Super League (MSL) would revive the domestic circuit and the national side by throwing up some exceptional talents.
"It's huge for domestic cricket in South Africa. If you look back two, three or maybe even five years, domestic cricket was on a downward spiral," Duminy, who will play for Paarl Rocks, said at a launch event for the second edition of the MSL in Cape Town. "The revival of the T20 game and the model of the MSL is something I am quite excited about. You have international cricketers moulded with young talent and that's going only going to leave us in good stead."
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Steyn, who will turn up for Cape Town Blitz in the T20 competition, admitted that the MSL has a long way to go to be talked in the same bracket as the Indian Premier League (IPL). But the veteran paceman believes it is gaining ground and still has a lot to offer.
"The IPL is one of those untouchable leagues because it seems like in every IPL team, they have got at least five international Indian players as well as four overseas (stars), so there's a lot of high-quality international experience in the IPL teams. In the MSL, you maybe get three or four (internationals), but it's still good. From last year when we played, it didn't feel easy so that means there is some quality," he said.
Steyn sees MSL as an ideal platform for the youngsters to force their way into the national reckoning. He cited the example of Rassie van der Dussen, who was the top run-getter in the inaugural event while playing for Jozi Stars and then went on to play for South Africa in this year’s World Cup.
"I don't think many people knew who Rassie van der Dussen was before the MSL last year and he ended up becoming player of the tournament," the 36-year-old said. "He is putting up his hand for Test selection now. Dreams do come true if you take the opportunities. Whoever is young and up and coming, there is a great opportunity."
For Steyn, the quality of fast bowlers at disposal is the most thrilling bit about MSL. Anrich Nortje, Wahab Riaz, Kyle Abbott, Kagiso Rabada, Beuran Hendricks, Hardus Viljoen, Lungi Ngidi and Lutho Sipamla are some of the top names that will feature in the tournament.
"I love fast bowlers. They get me excited. Anrich, last year, bowled rapid and set the tone for how I wanted to play the tournament. You want to outdo your team-mate in some sense. If you've got all these quicks in one team, one guy is trying to bowl 140, the next guy is trying to bowl 145, the next guy is trying to bowl 150, it's good for the team," he remarked.
(Inputs from ESPNcricinfo)
