Faf du Plessis Takes Ownership in European T20 Premier League
Faf du Plessis and Jonty Rhodes are taking a significant step into team ownership with the Rotterdam Dockers in the upcoming European T20 Premier League. Their goal? To develop local talent in Dutch cricket.
The Netherlands has had notable successes in white-ball cricket, recently defeating teams like England and South Africa. This foundation sets a promising stage for the inaugural ETPL, which will run from August 26 to September 20. The league features six city-based teams, including Amsterdam and Edinburgh.
Du Plessis, who is also the captain of the Rotterdam Dockers, emphasized the importance of local players for success. He stated, “It’s not your overseas players that win you competitions, it’s the local players.” His commitment to nurturing homegrown talent is a cornerstone of his vision for the team.
Jonty Rhodes echoed this sentiment, saying, “The ETPL offers exactly that, creating pathways to identify, nurture, and scale talent, ultimately strengthening the game across Europe.” Both men see great potential in this venture to enhance cricket’s profile on the continent.
The tournament is co-owned by Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan and is generating excitement among fans. So far, five of the six franchises have been sold over a ten-year period, totaling £11.1 million. Du Plessis brings extensive experience from various franchise leagues worldwide and believes that this new league could be a game-changer.
As preparations ramp up for the ETPL’s inaugural season, many observers are keenly watching how it will impact cricket in Europe. Du Plessis remarked, “This is my first step into team ownership, and the timing couldn’t be better with European cricket gaining real momentum.” With enthusiasm building around this new venture, local fans hope it will inspire a new generation of cricketers.
