3 reasons why Joburg Super Kings should sign Devon Conway for SA20 2025
As per latest reports, New Zealand wicketkeeper-opener Devon Conway is being approached by SA20 side Joburg Super Kings to turn out for them in the 2025 season of the cash-rich league.
The Kiwi has declined a central contract offered by New Zealand Cricket, and has instead signed a casual agreement with the board, in which he promises to turn out for them in most international games in the near future.
This agreement, however, has the clause that Conway shall not take part in the white-ball series against Sri Lanka in January 2025, which will leave him free to participate in the SA20 tournament.
If he does indeed take part in SA20 in 2025, it will be his first appearance in his native country since 2017 after he made the shift to New Zealand to pursue cricketing opportunities. Joburg will have first right on him given that he plays for their parent franchise Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
In this listicle, we take a look at three reasons why Joburg should sign him:
#1 He can get them off to good starts
Conway is brilliant at the top of the order for New Zealand and all other franchise teams that he turns up for, and he will be expected to do well for Joburg as well. He can get them off to good starts.
Getting momentum behind one's belt, be it while batting first or second, is crucial in a Twenty20 game, and Joburg will certainly benefit a lot from the Kiwi helping them do so. If one's openers fire, half the job is done in a T20 game.
Being a southpaw will also work in Conway's favor as teams do not quite like bowling to right-hand left-hand partnerships at the top of the order. This can prove to be quite disruptive to field placements and strategic decisions.
#2 He is extremely reliable as a wicketkeeper
Conway has proved himself time and again as a reliable wicketkeeper, and the same will be expected of him for Joburg as well. He knows how important the wicketkeeper's position is in T20 cricket, and he is fairly good at it.
Joburg will benefit a lot from signing Conway as it will allow them to play a proper wicketkeeper-batter in perhaps the most important position in the sport rather than handing a batter the big gloves and asking him to play long stop.
The Kiwi is quite experienced and can also guide Joburg's bowlers - especially their spinners - from behind the stumps and ask them to pitch the ball in the right areas to the best of their abilities.
#3 He can also work in a leadership role
Conway can also be assigned a leadership role in the Joburg Super Kings squad as it will allow him to put his vast experience to good use. He has a lot of wisdom to share with his younger colleagues.
Being of South African origin, Conway knows the mindset of the players coming through the system in the rainbow nation at the moment and can be of immense help with his wonderful raconteuring skills.
The Super Kings management will be more than happy for him to become a part of the leadership group, and may even hand him the captaincy or vice-captaincy if he so chooses. It will provide fans with a lot of joy.