Devon Conway has recently made headlines for opting out of a long-term contract with New Zealand Cricket, instead choosing a short-term agreement that allows him to be available for most international matches. However, this agreement also excludes him from participating in the white-ball leg of New Zealand’s home series against Sri Lanka in January 2025, freeing him up to play in the SA20 tournament.
On Friday, August 16, the Joburg Super Kings, a franchise in the SA20 league, announced that they had signed Conway for the 2025 edition of the tournament. Conway is now set to represent his third Super Kings team, having already played for Chennai in the IPL and Texas in Major League Cricket (MLC).
While Conway’s signing might seem like a high-profile addition, there are several reasons why this move might not be the best fit for the Joburg Super Kings. Here are three key reasons why signing Conway could be a mistake:
#1 Joburg Already Has an Abundance of Top-Order Batters
The Joburg Super Kings already have a strong lineup of top-order batters, making the addition of another such player potentially redundant. With established names like Faf du Plessis, Jonny Bairstow, Reeza Hendricks, and Leus de Plooy already in the squad, finding a spot for Conway could be a challenge.
While Conway’s left-handedness does add variety to the batting order, the team management will face a tough decision in determining who to prioritize in this star-studded lineup. Conway’s experience might warrant a significant role, but with so many top-order options, this could lead to selection headaches and underutilization of talent.
#2 Missed Opportunity for a More Aggressive Player
By signing Conway, Joburg may have missed the chance to acquire a more aggressive middle-order batter. The team already has anchors like du Plessis and de Plooy who can stabilize the innings. Conway, who plays in a similar style, might not bring the attacking flair needed to dominate the middle overs, especially when facing spin or when the field is spread.
A more aggressive middle-order player could have complemented the existing top-order, offering the ability to accelerate the scoring rate and take advantage of the middle overs. Joburg could have benefited from a player who specializes in punishing loose deliveries and turning ones into twos, thereby maximizing their run-scoring potential.
#3 Potential Issues with Team Combinations
Another concern with Conway’s signing is whether he will fit seamlessly into the team’s combinations. Joburg had already secured Jonny Bairstow, another wicketkeeper-batter, which raises questions about the necessity of adding Conway to the squad.
Given that Bairstow is likely to occupy a key position at the top of the order, Conway’s inclusion could complicate the balance of the team. The management will need to decide who will take on the wicketkeeping duties and how to structure the batting order to accommodate both players. If Conway cannot be integrated into the team’s optimal lineup, this high-profile signing might turn out to be more of a hindrance than a help.
In summary, while Devon Conway is undoubtedly a talented player, his signing by the Joburg Super Kings for SA20 2025 may not be the most strategic move. The team already has a well-stocked top order, could have used an aggressive middle-order batter instead, and may face challenges in fitting Conway into their ideal playing combination.
