NMB Giants fans will catch a first glimpse of their new heroes when the squad train at St George’s Park on Monday afternoon.
Giants team manager Shafiek Abrahams confirmed the players would start arriving at the weekend ahead of the start of the inaugural Mzansi Super League T20 on November 16.
Cape Town Blitz and Tshwane Spartans get the tournament ball rolling at Newlands in Cape Town on Friday next week, while Giants play their opening fixture away to Jozi Stars at the Wanderers in Johannesburg the following day.
All the Giants’ training sessions from Monday to Thursday next week are open for public viewing.
“The guys are coming in from Sunday and Monday.
“We'll have our first run around here at St George's on Monday afternoon,” former Proteas and Eastern Province offspinner Abrahams said on Monday.
The squad will, however, be without both marquee players and its most expensive star for the opening game.
“Imran Tahir and Chris Morris will join us for the second match [away to the Cape Town Blitz] while [Englishman] Jason Roy is only likely be with us in early December.
“We are just waiting for the exact date of his flight,” Abrahams said.
This means that marquee batsman Roy, who has been in good form for England in recent weeks, will miss at least the first six matches of the tournament, possibly seven.
The reason for him being delayed is that he, like many other international players, had previously signed to play in the T10 League that runs from November 23 until December 2 in Sharjah.
The other Englishman in the squad is wicketkeeper Ben Duckett and he will be available from the first game.
Abrahams said it had been a busy past few weeks since the tournament was launched as administrators got the final plans in place.
Special marketing programmes are being put in place to encourage fans to pack out St George’s Park on match days.
“There's been a buzz around St George's Park. We are working around the clock trying to get as many people in here as we can,” he said.
“It's time to get the message out into town and the surrounds for our fans to get excited about the Giants.
“And it’s not just our players, but whomever is going to come and visit from other teams.
“At the moment we are also getting flights and logistics arranged because it’s back-to-back stuff now.
“Once it starts, it’s going to be a month and then it’s all done. So I can’t actually wait for the players to get here so that a little of the focus can shift onto them and the fans can get excited to see some new faces here.”
Coach Eric Simons will also arrive in the Bay on Monday to head up the first training session with 13 of his players.
Abrahams said the team management was pleased with the squad assembled at the player draft.
“We are happy with what we got. We are covering all bases.
“Spin options are your main thing and then you need guys who can do an allround job.
“We have got a lot of allrounders and we’ve got a couple of young unknown guys who are also going to get an opportunity to be showcased.”
Giants’ squad Imran Tahir, Jason Roy, Chris Morris, JonJon Smuts, Junior Dala, Christiaan Jonker, Aaron Phangiso, Ben Duckett, Sisanda Magala, Ryan McLaren, Heino Kuhn, Marco Marais, Dylan Matthews, Lizaard Williams, Rudi Second, Carmi le Roux
Training (open to public) Monday 2.30pm: B field nets and middle
Tuesday 2.30pm: B field nets and middle
Wednesday 3pm: St George’s Park main field, practice match yet to be confirmed
Thursday 3pm: nets and middle under lights on St George’s Park main field
Home fixtures Friday November 23 at 7pm: Giants v Durban Heat
Tuesday November 27 at 7pm: Giants v Cape Town Blitz
Friday November 30 at 7pm: Giants v Paarl Rocks Sunday
December 2 at 3.30pm: Giants v Jozi Stars
Saturday December 8 at 7pm: Giants v Tshwane Spartans