The opening match will return to St George\u2019s for a second year running, and De Villiers, who has fond memories of the oldest international ground in the country, feels there could be no better place to kick off an incredible month of cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSt George\u2019s Park has the best atmosphere of all the grounds I feel. Certainly, during my playing days over there, they got right behind me,\u201d De Villiers said. \u201cThere is nothing better than playing at St George\u2019s Park. With the band there, there is always music in the background. It\u2019s almost like you have earpods in your ears. Dancing to some tunes while you\u2019re playing cricket.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The home side, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, have been the standout team over the past two seasons, winning back-to-back titles under the guidance of their dynamic leadership duo of coach Adrian Birrell and captain Aiden Markram. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
De Villiers, having played under Birrell for many years with the Proteas men\u2019s team, feels their edge over the opposition is due to their tremendous team ethic and culture created by the Eastern Cape farmer. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe Sunrisers Eastern Cape have been incredibly successful in SA20 - both seasons\u2019 champions. It is an incredible achievement for them. They will try their absolute best to go three in a row,\u201d De Villiers said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI feel their strength lies in their ability to play as a team. It is something Adrian Birrell has achieved over there in the setup, their ability to hunt as a pack. Captain Aiden Markram is calm and composed. You also feel that anyone can chip in at any time. Adi Birrell is a true legend. He brings a lot of calmness and composure. He is a down-to-earth farmer from the Eastern Cape, an absolute legend over there. His humility is what stands out. He never talks down to anyone. He always sees the basics of the game as the most important thing,\u201d de Villiers was quoted as saying in a release on Wednesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
De Villiers, though, is expecting a crackerjack opening game due to MI Cape Town having bolstered their already power-packed squad with England Test captain and double white-ball World Cup winner Ben Stokes for Season 3. \u201cMI Cape Town are a star-studded team. They have been for the past two seasons, and now with the addition of Ben Stokes, makes that side even better,\u201d De Villiers said. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut it also shows that the best teams don\u2019t always win championships. I do, however, expect a better performance, looking at that line-up on paper, it's just pure power,\u201d said the former South Africa captain, considered by many as the best 360-degree batter in the cricket world.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
De Villiers, who was part of the SA20 commentary team over the past two seasons, also expects another bumper month of action-packed cricket and incredible entertainment. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut it also shows that the best teams don\u2019t always win championships. I do, however, expect a better performance, looking at that line-up on paper, it's just pure power,\u201d said the former South Africa captain, considered by many as the best 360-degree batter in the cricket world.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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