Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey
Former England pacer James Anderson, known for his record-breaking Test career, finds himself at the top of the SA20 auction registration list; an unexpected and intriguing development ahead of the South African T20 league’s player draft.
Out of 782 registrants vying for just 84 slots, Anderson’s name jumps off the page, sitting between Ben Green and Mason Crane. At 43, he stands among the oldest hopefuls, only slightly younger than 46-year-old Imran Tahir, also eyeing a spot.
James Anderson puts name forward for SA20 2026
Anderson retired from Test cricket last July after taking 704 wickets, but has played 17 matches across first-class, T20, and The Hundred since then. His inclusion suggests there’s life left in those seasoned shoulders.
He will go head-to-head with a spectrum of talent from current internationals like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Reece Topley, Devon Conway, Maheesh Theekshana, Shamar Joseph, and Jayden Seales, to veterans like Martin Guptill, Jason Roy, and Mahmudullah. Quinton de Kock’s status remains clouded, while WTC-winning captain Temba Bavuma quietly hopes for a recall, despite his modest T20 strike rate.
The list also features a lineage of cricketing surnames that resonate deeply: Keaton Jennings, Luc Benkenstein, Rashard Gibbs, Brett D’Oliveira, and Jarren Bacher, all with family ties to legends of the sport.
Of course, the odds are steep; only about 10% of hopefuls will make the cut. SA20, backed by IPL franchise owners, has USD 7.37 million to splurge across teams. Pre-signed players and retentions have trimmed the auction spots even further.
Still, for now, there’s something magical about seeing names as diverse as Anderson, Tahir, and de Kock on the same sheet. When the SA20 roars into life from late December to January in Cape Town, there’s a chance we’ll see unexpected reunions.
