Former Free State and Knights batsman Obus Pienaar struck the fastest century in the brief history of the Minor League Cricket Championship recently.
Pienaar, who plays alongside former Proteas and Cape Cobras spinner Dane Piedt at the Morrisville Raptors in the United States of America, reached a century in 37 deliveries.
He hit six fours and 10 sixes against the Ft. Lauderdale Lions at the Silverstar Recreation Center in Orlando, Flordia.
Pienaar and Piedt represented the St Louis Americans and DC Hawks, respectively, in the inaugural addition of the Minor League Cricket Championship in 2021. They joined the Morrisville Raptors (previously Morrisville Cardinals) for 2022 MiLC competition.
SA players in Minor League Cricket
Several other former South African club, first-class and franchise cricketers are involved in the tournament, including:
- Shadley van Schalkwyk
- Marques Ackerman
- Cody Chetty
- Corne Dry
- Obus Pienaar
- Carmi le Roux
- David White
- Heath Richards
International stars in Minor League Cricket
Many other former international cricketers play in the Minor League Cricket Championship, too, including:
- Liam Plunkett (England)
- Rusty Theron (South Africa)
- Corey Anderson (New Zealand)
- Sami Aslam (Pakistan)
- Narsingh Deonarine (West Indies)
- Xavier Marshall (West Indies)
- Shehan Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
- Angelo Perera (Sri Lanka)
Minor and Major League Cricket emergence
The Silicon Valley Strikers are the title holders in the Minor League Cricket Championship. They beat the New Jersey Stallions in the 2021 final.
Minor League Cricket is effectively a pathway to Major League Cricket, which is due to launch in 2023 as a six-team tournament akin to other successful T20 brands around the world.
It has received significant investment from Microsoft chief executive officer Satya Nadella, the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise and other cricket and business personalities.
More Minor League Cricket (MiLC), USA, news
- SWD’s Heath Richards joins Atlanta Lightning
- Dane Piedt leaves DC Hawks
- Justin Dill exits New Jersey Stallions
- Cody Chetty retained by Hollywood
- Seattle retain Shadley van Schalkwyk
- Corne Dry stays with Atlanta Fire
- Obus Pienaar moves to Morrisville
- Joshua, Matthew Tromp join MiLC
- Carmi le Roux joins Rusty Theron at Blazers