Exclusive: Devon Conway Returns to Wanderers as Joburg Super Kings’ Key Weapon for SA20

When Devon Conway left Johannesburg for New Zealand back in 2017, he probably felt he would never again be based at the Wanderers Stadium. 

But his service at the altar of T20 franchise cricket now sees him calling the Bullring his home ground again as he turns out in the SA20 for the first time for the Joburg Super Kings.

From Johannesburg to New Zealand Stardom 

Since that brave leap into the unknown, Conway has become an international star in all formats for the Black Caps. The left-hander has scored 4490 runs for New Zealand in 109 matches across the Test, ODI and T20 formats.

Conway has also relished playing T20 league cricket around the world, having turned out for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, the Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket and for the Southern Brave in The Hundred. The Super Kings connection continues now with his acquisition by Stephen Fleming’s Joburg side.

Now 33, Conway played nine seasons of domestic cricket in South Africa. He made his debut for Gauteng aged just 17, having been considered one of the brightest young prospects in the country while at St John’s College, the alma mater of Bruce Mitchell, Clive Rice and Mike Rindel. 

While he was prolific in ‘B Section’ cricket, he never really managed to make the step up to franchise level, averaging just 21 in the first division four-day competition.

So he left for New Zealand to start again, and the refresh worked an absolute treat as Conway became one of the most prolific run-scorers his new country has ever seen.

But now he is back at his former home, the Wanderers Stadium, and eager for his first match on Saturday evening as the Joburg Super Kings host MI Cape Town.

“It’s great to be back, it’s the first time in eight years that I’m playing in South Africa. It’s been awesome to see some family, old friends and familiar faces, and of course this wonderful ground again,” Conway told SportsBoom.com. 

“I’ve watched the SA20 for a couple of years now and it looks fantastic, so I’m delighted to be part of it. It seems a great platform to express your skills and I can’t wait to get into it.”

Reuniting with Faf du Plessis and Targeting Boult

Last season, the Wanderers was sometimes excessively difficult for free-scoring, leading to the Joburg Super Kings, who were expecting pitches full of runs, to only have a 50% winning record at home. They did nevertheless scrape into the playoffs, before losing in Qualifier 2.

But with England star Jonny Bairstow also joining JSK, Conway should be part of a powerful top-order. The part-time wicketkeeper is hoping to rekindle the successful partnership he had with JSK captain Faf du Plessis at the top of the order for Texas in MLC. Last year he scored 293 runs in eight innings, averaging 58.60 at a strike-rate of 143.62. 

“Last year, JSK came close but didn’t quite get over the line. But we have a great squad this year and there’s a huge incentive for us with the final being played at the Wanderers. But it’s important to be strong at home. We should have the best idea of conditions here and we have enough experience to capitalise."

“I have a rough idea of what my role will be, I’ll get full clarity from Flem tonight. But hopefully it will be something similar to in MLC, where I opened with Faf,” Conway said.

"It's Great to Be Back"

Apart from reuniting with old mates, Saturday’s match also provides the opportunity to chew the fat with Black Caps team-mate Trent Boult, who will spearhead the MI Cape Town attack. The left-armer was superb up front in the opening match of SA20, helping his side to victory over defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

“It’s always a great fixture – Super Kings versus MI – it’s a really nice rivalry and just the sort of game you want to get underway,” Conway said. I’ve played a few games against Trent, so I have a fair idea of how he operates. He is world-class, especially if the ball is swinging, and I’m looking forward to taking him on.”

Adding to Conway’s understated confidence is how well he and Du Plessis did against Boult in MLC. In their two games against MI New York, they put on 85 in 8.5 overs and 101 in 12-and-a-half overs, winning both matches. Boult conceded 98 runs in his eight overs.