Thomas Kaber led a strong bowling display by eta Northerns as they began their Africa T20 Cup campaign by edging out North West by three runs in their Pool B opener at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Friday.

The visiting captain claimed two for 23 and received excellent support from the miserly Gregory Mahlokwana and Corbin Bosch – the pair sending down four overs for only 22 apiece – as the hosts ended on 142/4 in pursuit of 145/8.

Marques Ackerman and Craig Alexander starred for North West as they bounced back from a disappointing day one of Africa T20 Cup Pool B by thrashing defending champions Eastern Province by 41 runs at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Saturday.

Left-hander Ackerman first played a critical role with the bat by rescuing his side from a catastrophic batting display to post a competitive 143/8.

Ryan Rickelton’s swashbuckling unbeaten 60 helped Gauteng earn the bragging rights from their Africa T20 Cup derby against Northerns - and more importantly stay alive in the competition - thanks to a thumping eight-wicket bonus-point win at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Saturday.

The men from Johannesburg, who lost their opening game to defending champions Eastern Province on Friday, also threw Pool B wide open by momentarily moving to the summit with five points.

Some cricketers dream about walking out at the MCG in a Boxing Day Test or over New Year at Newlands.

For Solomzi Nqweni just the chance to bowl again in a first-class match is fulfilment for the Eastern Province seamer. Nqweni has a rich cricketing pedigree, having been nurtured at Grey High School – the alma-mater of Graeme Pollock and Wayne Parnell among others – and was part of the same SA Under-19 side as Quinton de Kock.

North West coach Monty Jacobs admits his side will be the big underdogs to progress from Pool B of the Africa T20 Cup, but he is quietly confident as they prepare to face Northerns in their opening game at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Friday.

After reaching the semi-finals last year, Jacobs’ men are hosting a pool this time around, but they know that they will not be the most fancied of the foursome, completed by Eastern Province and Gauteng, to top their group. 

Eastern Province coach Piet Botha insists that what happened in last season’s Africa T20 Cup was now history as they prepare to launch the defence of their title against Gauteng at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Friday. The clash is a first in a tough Pool B, which also includes Northerns and host union North West, who were semi-finalists last year.

The men from Port Elizabeth won every match – five in total – on their way to the 2016 title. They thumped Zimbabwe in the semi-final and then cruised past Northern Cape in the final.

The summer hasn’t even started yet but already Janneman Malan is enjoying the season of his life.

The opening batsman was one of the standout players for the Powerade SA Emerging Squad during the winter where he smashed 108 off 79 balls (14 fours, 5 sixes) before following it up with another rapid half-century in the one-day series against Zimbabwe A.

New Zealand paceman Mitchell McClenaghan has been released from his New Zealand Cricket central contract in order to pursue a pathway in overseas T20 leagues.

The 31-year-old left-armer this week submitted a request for his contract be terminated so he could be considered for the new Global T20 competition in South Africa and this summer’s Big Bash League in Australia.