Schools Pro20

Standard Bank together with CSA have launched the Schools Pro20 Challenge initiative in January 2010, where we can see just what South African cricket talent is all about. The Schools Pro20 is designed to help develop and train our future cricket super stars.

Standard Bank wishes to thank Graeme Smith for his exemplary service as captain of the International Pro20 team. We have enjoyed a fruitful and professional relationship with Graeme, not least in his capacity as captain in the many international twenty-over events held in South Africa: the launch of International Pro20s in October 2005, as well as the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 event in 2007.

South Africa has not enjoyed the best of times at world tournaments, so much so that they now carry the unwanted label of “chokers” every time they set foot at a meaningful tournament.

    The Proteas only title came in 1998, when they won the inaugural Champions Trophy, while the rest of their tournament record is littered with shattered dreams.

    However, the “chokers” tag is something that the South Africans want to get rid of and they head to the ICC World Twenty20 in West Indies with a squad that is quite capable of walking off with the spoils.

As ICC World Twenty20 hosts West Indies are under huge pressure to put together a successful run in the competition.

    At first glance it would not appear to be the easiest of tasks.

    The West Indies’ recent record in international T20 cricket does little to foster confidence in the team.

    In February they lost both matches in an away series against Australia before they lost, at home, to Zimbabwe by 26 runs.

India, as happens to them at any tournament they play in, enters the ICC World Twenty20 under the burden of massive public expectation.

    India did not enjoy the best of outings at the World Twenty20 in England last year where they failed to reach the semi-finals.

    However, this year they have the look of a team that could well end up challenging for the title.

    Wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni has proved to be an inspired choice as captain.

The world’s greatest cricketing stars are ready to take to the field in the West Indies. Show your support for the Proteas by selecting and managing your own fantasy team in the Twenty20 World Cup Fantasy League. The action starts on Friday 30 April with the opening match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at 19:00 SA time (17:00 GMT).

Enter your team now at www.ultimatedreamteams.co.za/twenty20