Alberton cricketer ‘sold’ for R1,395 million
The local cricket world is talking of the young Alberton schoolboy who was “sold" for a record amount at the LPL-auction which preceded the final composition of teams for the Lenasia Premier League (LPL) to start soon.
ALBERTON – At the auction, All Stars broke the bank with a record purchase for the young 17-year-old star Delano Potgieter.
All Stars spent R1.395 million for this Alberton youngster’s signature. Delano spearheaded Marais Viljoen first cricket team last year to the first time ever winning of the Gunn & Moore-trophy for the best schools cricket team in the Noordvaal.
LPL-spokesmen described this happening as follows: “This was an unprecedented move by All Stars for the under 19 player, and only time will tell if this was money well spent”.
Alberton in players in LPL auction
The long awaited LPL auction evening took place on the 50th floor of Carlton Centre, Johannesburg, and Africa and Alberton players were an integral part of this event. This was to be a symbolic moment in the history of the LPL as it clearly illustrates the heights to which this magnificent tournament has grown. It also shows the LPL’s commitment to the building of the game at grass roots level and its willingness to assist the rebirth of Johannesburg as a world-class city.
The evening was hosted by Jateen Nana and kicked off with the introduction of the LPL’s Board of Governance, which included Yusuf Dinath, Ali Osmany and former Protea player Clive Eksteen.
A number of big name players from all around the province went under the hammer during the fifth edition of the LPL Auction evening. As many as 120 players went under the hammer at the auction.
All six franchises were allowed to retain six players in a retention phase, after which the 30 minute transfer window was entered into and then the much anticipated auction.
With the LPL being a 20 over format, it is assumed that it must be a batsman’s game, hence all eyes were on the big hitters of the game, players who have the ability to change the shape of a match in an instant.
The teams seemed to be well prepared and took calculated risks as the six franchises began their plot to dethrone the current champions, the Bank All Stars.
Teams had a budget of R2 million each, in which they attempted to outwit each other and acquire a squad of 20 players which would include two under 19 players.
Alberton players who were auctioned for teams for the new LPL season, included u.19 star Delano Potgieter for Bank All Stars, Juan le Maitre and Hardus Viljoen for Sporting Supermen. Look out for the full story about all the team selections for the new season, after completion of the auction, in a next issue.
