SA20: MI Cape Town announce marquee signings of Ben Stokes and Trent Boult

England Test captain Stokes has recently taken a step back from international white-ball cricket but will be donning blue in the T20 franchise league at Newlands.

The 33-year-old played a pivotal role in helping England win the 50-over World Cup on home soil in 2019 and was at the crease when they beat Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup final in Australia.

The all-rounder has also represented Rising Pune Supergiant, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Overall, Stokes has scored 3023 runs in 159 T20 matches at an average of 24.77 at a strike-rate of 133.23. Equally, he has claimed 90 wickets at an average of 30.38.

The 35-year-old Boult is another significant coup for MI Cape Town, with the New Zealand paceman regarded as one of the best of his generation.

The left-arm seamer was part of the Black Caps' squad that reached successive ODI World Cup finals in 2015 and 2019 and also the T20 World Cup final in 2021.

Boult has been part of the Mumbai stable having played for MI New York in the United States and MI Emirates in the UAE.

"MI, MI Emirates, MI New York and now MI Cape Town. I'll be donning the Blue-and-Gold colours in the edition of SA20. Playing at the scenic Newlands is going to be special. I know, it's going to be Lekker," Boult said.

The Kiwi legend is also a regular pick in the IPL and has taken 121 wickets in 104 matches in India's T20 franchise tournament since 2015.

MI Cape Town have also retained the services of Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan and signed the spinner's compatriot Azmatullah Omarzai.

They are joined by Sri Lanka seamer Nuwan Thushara and English bowler Chris Benjamin who are retained from the 2024 season.

The players join the existing pre-signed domestic players of Kagiso Rabada, Dewald Brevis, Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Delano Potgieter, Thomas Kaber and Connor Esterhuizen.

The third season of the SA20 will commence on 9th January until 8th February 2025 with Sunrisers Eastern Cape having won the first two editions of the tournament.

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