Moeen, Faf, Theekshana To Play For CSK-Owned Johannesburg Team In CSA T20 League

Chennai: Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited, which has acquired the Johannesburg franchise in the Cricket South Africa T20 League, announces the signing of five players ahead of the inaugural edition of the tournament.

The players are: Faf du Plessis (South Africa), Moeen Ali (England), Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka), Romario Shepherd (West Indies) and Gerald Coetzee (South Africa).

“As per the rules of CSA, we are eligible to take four players from the contracted list of players who are available… one marquee player from South Africa. From the balance three, not more than two can be from one country,” said Mr. K. S Viswanathan, CEO of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited.

“We have decided to pick Faf, Moeen, Maheesh and Romario as the four players who have been contracted by Cricket South Africa. “We are also allowed to take one development player from South Africa. We have decided on Gerald, as recommended by Faf.”

On Faf du Plessis:
“Faf has been a backbone of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL for the last 10 years. He has been one of the most consistent players for our team. We were not fortunate to pick him during the last auction in the IPL. We were looking for an opportunity and that came up in the CSA T20 League. We are happy that we got Faf back with the Super Kings family. It will be a very good opportunity for Faf to come back and do as well as he did for the Chennai Super Kings. His experience as South African player and captain, knowing the conditions, will be invaluable. I’m sure that with his entry into the team, we should have a good future.”

On Moeen Ali:
“As far as Moeen is concerned, everybody is aware of his potential as an all-rounder and his skills in white-ball cricket. We are very happy to have retained Moeen.”

On Maheesh Theekshana:
“Theekshana is a mystery spinner who has been doing well in white-ball cricket. In South African conditions, a spinner of his caliber will be of great advantage and I’m sure that he will be able to do well there.”

On Romario Shepherd:
“Romario Shepherd is an all-rounder with a lot of promise. He did well for the West Indies in the recently concluded series as well. And we hope that he’ll be a good asset for the team in South Africa.”

On Gerald Coetzee:
“Gerald Coetzee is one of the most consistent upcoming all-rounders from South Africa. We heard that he’s on the verge of making it to the next level. We’re hoping that the all-rounder from South Africa will be a good addition to the team there.”

“I’m sure that with the auction coming up in mid-September, we should be able to pick a good side,” he concluded.