Photo Credit: Lions Cricket
Lions Cricket announce their exciting squads for the 2023/2024 season blending thrilling youth with level-headed experience.
Post another successful season we shift our focus to the season ahead where ensuring our ever-swelling trophy cabinet remains just that. Whilst never an easy task, it’s the driving force behind our ongoing search for passionate promising players who embody the values of the Lions Pride, whilst still retaining the services of the best in the world. It is with great pleasure that Lions Cricket announce both their DP World Mens and DP World Women’s squads for the upcoming season.
The DP World Lions ladies shall look to retain and add to their CSA Women’s Provincial T20 Cup trophy, whilst the men will want to keep hold of their CSA One Day Cup Trophy for the 4th consecutive year and bolster it too, so says Jono Leaf-Wright.
“Plotting our Pride is a relishing challenge. Our powerful pipeline presents us with such promise that even our experienced athletes know that delivery is key season upon season. However, having said that, that’s exactly what our stalwarts did last season: Delivered. Which left us wanting to keep our squads much the same. Every player signed embodies the sportsmanship we insist on; promising potential; and an unrivaled passion for Lions Cricket. Solid players and even better people: That’s what we have going into this season.”
Lions Cricket would like to formally welcome the new players:
In the men’s squad: Zubayr Hamza; Junaid Dawood; Tsepo Ndwandwa; Tshepo Moreki and Delano Potgieter. The squad extends to an even bigger family this year with DP World Lions players Bjorn Fortuin, Sisanda Magala and Ryan Rickelton joining the Protea contracted list. These three players join DP World Men’s players Temba Bavuma, Rassie vd Dussen, Reeza Hendricks and Kagiso Rabada who remain contracted to the Protea’s.
In the women’s squads it is a warm welcome to Protea players Chloe Tryon and Sinalo Jafta as well as top club cricket performer Bianca Booyjens and SA Schools U19 player Relebohile Mkhize. Lions Cricket is also thrilled to retain the wonderful skills of contracted Protea players Ayabonga Khaka and Tumi Sekhukhune who always add tremendous value to the Lions Pride.
Lions Cricket President Anne Vilas is in agreement with Leaf-Wright;
“We were well-pleased with the performances of last season and we will look to these players to achieve that much and more this time round. I believe that our squad encompasses players that echo our desire to win; are professional, passionate and proud; and acknowledge that playing is a privilege. We feel strong and are ready for the hunt ahead.”
In conclusion, Lions Cricket would like to take this opportunity to wish former Head Coach Wandile Gwavu well in his new CSA pursuits, so says Leaf-Wright;
“An integral ingredient to the Pride these last few seasons, Wandile will be missed, will always be welcome at DP World Wanderers, and has the wholehearted support of Lions Cricket in his future endeavours as he joins the Protea men’s set up. We thank you Coach for giving us all you’ve got and we promise to continue to be the Pride of Jozi and do so in style – the ‘Lions Way’.”
The season ahead is bubbling with excitement; overloaded with promise; and the records are waiting to be rewritten. Chomping at the bit, Lions Cricket are a Pride that is ready to showcase their skills, thrill their fabulous fans and be the true Pride of Jozi beyond just the bat and ball.
DP World Mens 2023/24 squad:
Temba Bavuma (Protea); Reeza Hendricks (Protea); Rassie Der Dussen (Protea); and Kagiso Rabada (Protea); Bjorn Fortuin (Protea); Sisanda Magala (Protea); Ryan Rickelton (Protea);
Dominic Hendricks; Wiaan Mulder; Lutho Sipamla; Junaid Dawood; Zubayr Hamza; Tsepo Ndwandwa; Tshepo Moreki; Delano Potgieter; Joshua Richards; Mitch Van Buuren; Duanne Olivier; Codi Yusuf; Evan Jones; Malusi Siboto; Connor Esterhuizen.
DP World Women’s 2023/24 squad:
Ayabonga Khaka (Protea); Tumi Sekhukhune (Protea); Chloe Tryon (Protea); Sinalo Jafta (Protea); Raisibe Ntozakhe; Kgomotso Rapoo; Lehlohonolo Sardick; Palesa Mapoo; Sarah Nettleton; Jenna Evans; Nonkululeko Thabethe; Kirstie Thomson; Sunette Viljoen-Louw; Jameelah Shaikjee; Samantha Schutte; Oluhle Siyo; Madison Landsman; Refilwe Moncho; Sarah Barber; Karabo Meso; Diara Ramlakan; Bianca Booyjens; Relebohile Mkhize; Thristan Cronje.
High Performance Mens Players for the 2023/24 season:
Wandile Makwetu; Cole Abrahams; Marco Van Biljon; Muhammed Manack; Ronan Herrmann; Nqaba Peter;
