With the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL) set to get underway on August 26, the cricket tournament is poised to become a landmark moment in the growth of the game across Europe.
Speaking to ETPL, Rotterdam Dockers co-owner and captain Faf du Plessis and co-owner Jonty Rhodes discussed the rapid growth of Associate cricket and the role the league can play in developing talent across Europe.
Faf du Plessis spoke about the rise of the associate teams. “We all expected the Associate Nations to step up and challenge the bigger teams at some point. I was amazed to see it happen in the 2026 T20 World Cup, and it was definitely my highlight. I was sitting at home watching and thinking, ‘How good is this?’ I found myself supporting the Associate teams every time. I was hoping they would get through on so many occasions, right till the end. It was great to see, and I believe it is a stepping stone for the future. With the ETPL coming in, just imagine how strong the game of cricket will be two, three, five, or ten years from now, when every team has the same opportunities, whether you are from Scotland or South Africa,” he said.
ETPL to kick off with clash between Rotterdam Dockers and Amsterdam Flames on Aug 26
On the ETPL and its potential, Faf said: “When you first hear about the ETPL, you wonder what it’s all about. Then you look at the players involved, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Tim David, and others. You see the quality of overseas talent, including myself and Heinrich Klaasen. It’s a top-class lineup, the kind you see in the best leagues around the world. The second thing is the opportunity. This league is still in its early stages. It’s fresh, and no one has yet captured its full potential. That makes you want to be part of the journey.”
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYcJnxjAvRB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Jonty Rhodes spoke about the opportunity the ETPL provides to players from smaller nations.
“The most exciting part about the ETPL is the chance it gives to players from smaller cricketing nations. We have already seen glimpses of incredible talent from Scottish, Irish, and Dutch players. They have shown they can compete, but they haven’t always had the right platform. Now, with the ETPL, they have a proper stage to take their game to the next level. They will get to play alongside and against some of the best players in the world. That exposure will only help them grow. This is exactly what European cricket needs to move forward,” he said.
