Tristan Stubbs, Rilee Rossouw among the most expensive players in SA20 auction

Swashbuckling South Africa batter Tristan Stubbs became the most expensive player in SA20 auction history.

Having made his T20I debut against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi in 2022, Tristan Stubbs earned the highest bid of Rand 9.2 million (1 South African Rand = 4.50 INR) at the inaugural SA20 player auction held in Cape Town on September 19.

Eastern Cape pipped Cape Town and Johannesburg in an intense bidding war to acquire the services of a rising power-hitter in world cricket.

Tristan Stubbs has scored 119 runs in six T20Is at a staggering strike rate of 216.36 while also maintaining a decent average of 39.66. He has smashed one fifty in his short career so far. 

Five-time Indian T20 League winners Mumbai had earlier roped in Tristan Stubbs as a replacement for left-arm fast bowler Tymal Mills in the previous edition of the tournament. He played two matches for Mumbai last season.

Overall, Stubbs has impressive numbers in his T20 career, amassing 784 runs in 34 T20s at a strike rate of 160.65 and an average of 30.15. While he has four fifties to his name, the right-handed batter is yet to convert it to a hundred.

South Africa international Rilee Rossouw fetched the second highest bid in SA20 auction. Pretoria Capitals roped in Kolpak-returnee Rilee Rossouw for a deal worth Rand 6.9 million.

Having had the experience of playing T20 Leagues across the globe, the southpaw has accumulated 6,633 runs in 261 matches at a strike rate of 142.40 and an average of 30.99. He has three hundred and 42 half-centuries to his name.

Born in Bloemfontein, Rossouw has also featured in 18 T20Is for the South Africa cricket team, scoring 458 runs in 17 innings at an average of 35.23 and a strike rate of 145.85. He last played a T20I against England at Southampton in July this year.

Left-arm fast bowlers Marco Jansen and Wayne Parnell feature next on the list. While East Cape acquired the services of Marco for a whopping Rand 6.1 million, another Kolpak-returnee Parnell joined Pretoria for a deal worth 5.6 million.

Interestingly, Marco is also part of the Hyderabad set-up in the Indian T20 League, having played eight matches last edition. He bagged seven wickets at an economy of 8.56.

On the other hand, Port Elizabeth-born Wayne Parnell has featured in 45 T20Is for the Proteas. He has bagged 50 wickets in 44 innings at an average of 23.82 and an economy of 8.22.

Sisanda Magala completes the top five list for most expensive players in SA20 auction. Led by his idol and former South Africa speedster Dale Steyn, Eastern Cape signed Magala for Rand 5.4 million.

Known for his death bowling credentials, Magala has played only four T20Is so far for the South Africa cricket team. He has also featured in three ODIs, picking five international wickets in total.

Most expensive players in SA20 auction

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Featured photo: Steve Bardens / AFP