New Delhi, Jan 27 (NationPress) Graeme Smith, the former captain of South Africa and current SA20 commissioner, is optimistic that Tristan Stubbs’ remarkable innings in the SA20 final will serve as an excellent confidence enhancer as the T20 World Cup approaches next month. This tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Stubbs played a pivotal role, scoring an unbeaten 63 runs to lead the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to their third SA20 title, narrowly defeating the Pretoria Capitals. His innings included a crucial unbroken partnership of 111 runs with fellow half-centurion Matthew Breetzke. This performance was significant for Stubbs, who had a slow start to the tournament and was initially left out of South Africa's squad for the T20 World Cup.

However, due to a shoulder injury affecting Donovan Ferreira, Stubbs was brought back into the national squad and gradually regained his form, achieving his first half-century in the T20 format after 51 innings since August 2024.

“He was obviously captaining for the first time. There was a lot to manage, and I gathered that some were frustrated with his tempo. However, he excelled in the final by stabilizing the innings and demonstrating his ability to accelerate the game,” Smith remarked.

“His power and experience are evident, having showcased his talent at the IPL, for South Africa, and during SA20. This innings will undoubtedly boost his confidence, which is fantastic. He is a naturally confident player and will only grow from this experience.”

“He has faced several challenges over the last six months. It’s inspiring to see a player under pressure rise to the occasion in such a significant match. Kudos to him, and I hope he carries that form and confidence into the World Cup,” Smith added during a virtual session organized by SA20, celebrating the successful conclusion of the tournament's fourth season.

The tournament also highlighted emerging talents, such as Nqobani Mokoena of the Paarl Royals, who captured attention with 13 wickets in 10 matches, maintaining an economy rate of 9.62.

When discussing the importance of nurturing new talent like Mokoena, Smith noted that it is primarily the responsibility of Cricket South Africa to invest in grassroots development. He celebrated the emergence of players who were previously unknown, stating, “Everyone loves a story about an unexpected talent who suddenly makes a name for themselves.”

“It’s crucial for Cricket South Africa to focus on building the game from the ground up. The stories of players like Stubbs, Breetzke, and Brevis, who have progressed over the past few years, are exciting. We also witnessed Quinton de Kock having a fantastic season after a long absence from the game.”

Mokoena, part of South Africa's Under-19 World Cup squad in 2024, has impressed with his ability to bowl at speeds up to 140 kph, showcasing variations including a slower ball and the capability to generate movement and bounce.

“Everyone enjoys a narrative where an unknown player suddenly emerges on the global stage. What’s remarkable is that he faced challenging situations without being shielded. His ability to perform under pressure speaks volumes about his character,” concluded Smith.