Top 5 Best Bowlers of SA20 2023: From Yorkers to Hat-Tricks

The inaugural season of SA20 2023 delivered its share of edge-of-the-seat action, electrifying cricket, and plenty of star-studded performances. Of course, the batters stole the headlines with their hurricane hitting, but the unsung heroes of the competition were indeed the bowlers-changing the game with precision, sometimes strategy, and great skill: from lethal yorkers to game-changing hat-tricks that made them very vital to their team’s success.

Here, we have highlighted the top 5 best bowlers of SA20 2023, who made the event unforgettable for fans worldwide with their captivating performances.

1. Anrich Nortje (Pretoria Capitals)

Anrich Nortje was a force to be reckoned with as the skiddy fast bowler of Pretoria Capitals and is definitely the star bowler of the SA20 2023 season. With raw pace combined with pinpoint accuracy, Nortje ran riot over the opposition batters in the recently concluded tournament.

Anrich Nortje took 20 scalps in just 12 appearances, coming at a staggering economy rate of 7.14. No other seam bowling option was as proficient and regular at striking in the powerplay or bowling economically in death overs. One of the most memorable performances from the South African fast bowler’s tournament was the four-for against Sunrisers Eastern Cape, where raw pace and clever variations just obliterated their batting lineup. Nortje’s brilliance made him the leading wicket-taker of the tournament and an invaluable asset for Pretoria Capitals.

Read More: Top 5 Greatest Batters of SA20 2023: The Game-Changers on the Bat

2. Roelof van der Merwe (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)

The veteran spinner Roelof van der Merwe was one of the chief architects in Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s title-winning campaign. Drawing on his vast experience and using canny variations, van der Merwe kept batters guessing and delivered at every crucial juncture.

With his remarkable performance, Van der Merwe sealed the tournament with 16 wickets in 11 matches at an economical economy rate of 6.35. He had come into the final against the Pretoria Capitals and, with three telling blows in the middle overs, proved himself to be the match winner. His ability to fetch breakthroughs in the middle overs made him a nightmare for opponents and an irreplaceable part of Sunrisers’ success story.

3. Kagiso Rabada (MI Cape Town)

Kagiso Rabada again demonstrated why he is considered amongst the best fast bowlers in the world. Bowling for MI Cape Town, Rabada blended pace with precision and swing to trouble some of the best batting lineups in the competition.

He managed to take 15 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 18.6. A spell of 4/21 against Durban’s Super Giants was a pure spell of fast bowling, wherein he bowled the right kind of yorkers and short balls to keep the opposition in check. Though MI Cape Town did not live up to the expectations, Rabada’s performances were a proper example of his skill and consistency.

4. Sisanda Magala (Joburg Super Kings)

Sisanda Magala emerged as one of the tournament’s most effective death bowlers. Playing for Joburg Super Kings, the ability of Magala to bowl under pressure and deliver pinpoint yorkers earned him accolades throughout SA20 2023.

Magala picked up 14 wickets in 11 matches at an excellent economy rate of 7.65, with his three-wicket haul against Paarl Royals, a high-stakes game at that, showcasing his nerves of steel and ability to rise to the occasion. Magala’s contributions were imperative in taking Joburg Super Kings to the playoffs as he solidified his position as one of the more reliable T20 bowlers.

5. Adil Rashid (Durban’s Super Giants)

Adil Rashid, the experienced English leg-spinner, came into SA20 2023, bringing with him some much-needed oomph in the middle for Durban’s Super Giants. With his guile and variations in pace, Rashid turned out to be a weapon even the best batters in the tournament would fear.

Rashid scalped 13 wickets in 10 matches with an economy rate of just 6.90. His best performance came against Sunrisers Eastern Cape, where he picked up 3/19, completely dismantling their middle order. Rashid’s ability to control the game during the middle overs and pick up crucial wickets made him a standout performer for the Super Giants.

The Conclusion of the Top 5 Best Bowlers of SA20 2023

The SA20 2023 was a platform where bowlers showcased their skill, temperament, and match-winning capabilities. From the fiery pace of Anrich Nortje to the crafty spin of Roelof van der Merwe, these bowlers showed the real essence of T20 cricket: adaptability and precision under pressure.

Anrich Nortje topped the charts as the leading wicket-taker, solidifying his place as the tournament’s most impactful bowler. Roelof van der Merwe’s crucial spells in key matches were instrumental in Sunrisers Eastern Cape lifting the trophy. Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada, Sisanda Magala, and Adil Rashid brought their unique flair to the game, contributing significantly to their teams’ campaigns.

These bowlers thrilled the fans while redefining the role of the bowlers in this fast-moving world of T20 cricket. As the SA20 grows in stature, these performances will be a benchmark for the seasons to come, reminding us of how vital a role bowlers play in shaping the outcome of matches.

Disclaimer: This cricket blog reflects the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.

Visit Bjsports to access our Cricket Blogs that are just for you and reminisce about all of your favorite cricket nostalgia moments while being thrilled by our solid cricket blog updates. To ensure you never miss out, join in on the fun right away!