Online Reporter
Proteas T20I captain Aiden Markram was the big-money overseas signing at The Hundred auction.
Markram, fresh off a superb T20 World Cup where he struck 224 runs at an average of 32 and strike-rate 143,84 that drove the Proteas to a seven-game unbeaten streak before falling to New Zealand in the semi-finals, attracted the highest bid of £200 000 (R4,47 million) from Manchester Super Giants.
The 30-year-old allrounder has strong links with the Super Giants franchise, as he plays for Lucknow SG in the IPL and captains Durban’s SG in the Betway SA20. He was also recently named captain of the ICC T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament.
Fellow Proteas top-order batter and wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton also fetched a handsome £150 000 (R3 35 million) price tag. Rickelton was also a model of consistency for the Proteas during the recent T20 World Cup with the southpaw scoring 228 runs at a strike rate 170,15.
Rickelton has most likely have benefitted from Quinton de Kock withdrawing from The Hundred on the eve of the auction on Wednesday evening. De Kock was a star performer for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the Betway SA20 where he topped the competition’s overall run-scoring charts with 390 runs.
South African wicketkeeper/batters were in demand at the auction with young Lhuan-dre Pretorius also earning a £31 000 (close to R700 00) deal with London Spirit.
The Proteas most capped T20 International David Miller also profited from the auction with the veteran fetching a £110 000 (R2,48 million) deal with Southern Brave.
A host of South Africans were signed up prior to the auction with
Former Proteas middle-order batter Heinrich Klaasen was retained by Manchester Super Giants prior to the auction, while a host of South Africans like Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs and Donovan Ferreira were all pre-signed.
Notable omissions at the auction were former Proteas captain Faf du Plessis and seamer Lungi Ngidi.
The latter is fresh off a superb T20 World Cup where he picked wickets, which earned him selection for the T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament.
The 2026 Hundred season is scheduled to run from July 21 to August 16. — IOL
