Donovan Ferreira and the changing definition of a T20 all-rounder

Donovan Ferreira during MLC (Image credits: @pratyush_no7/X)

Donovan Ferreira is a dynamic player in the shortest format of the game. He’s currently amongst the hardest hitters of the cricket ball, can bowl useful off-spin, is a gun in the field, and can also keep wickets. The best part is, he’s doing all this in the ongoing South Africa 20 league for the Joburg Super Kings.

He is starting as the wicket-keeper and then comes on to bowl when the team requires him to, with Matthew de Villiers doing the wicket-keeping duties for that period.

Donovan Ferreira: Cricket’s new all-rounder

In the 9th match of SA20 2025-26, Donovan Ferreira first scored 33* runs off just 10 deliveries to take his side to 205 runs, and then he came on to bowl his full quota of 4 overs for 24 runs and picked up a wicket as well. And after all this, he did a brilliant run-out as the wicket-keeper on the last ball to take the game to the super over.

This might be a one-off performance from him (for now), but it shows how crucial a player can be for his side when he can contribute in every aspect of the sport. Ferreira went for an economy of just 6 when the others were going for more than 12.

All this makes you wonder - is the definition of an all-rounder changing for T20s? Let’s talk about how this can potentially lead to the emergence of a new role - ‘wicket-keeping all-rounder’ - in cricket.

How will it benefit teams in T20 cricket?

So how does having a wicket-keeper who can bowl a few overs benefit a team? First and foremost, if your keeper can give you 3-4 overs consistently, then you can add an extra batter to your lineup to add to the batting depth.

For example, from JSK’s last playing XI, they can remove Prenalen Subrayen and play someone like Steve Stolk or Rivaldo Moonsamy, who will add to their batting depth. This may sound a bit weird, but don’t be surprised if teams take up this route a few years down the line.

Not only a batter, but teams can also play around with their combinations without losing on team balance if you have such a player in your squad. Team building can be done with a whole different approach if you have someone who’s redefining the rigid roles of a wicket-keeper. You can have more options in your roster/squad as a franchise.

A captain can save one or two overs of their key bowlers, and if you have someone to roll their arm over when needed, you can use them as a tactical match-up option and many more things. This tactical fluidity adds immense value to any franchise or team, and we can’t be really ignorant about it.

Versatility comes with a price

While we talk about all the flexibility and stability such a player can provide, we also have to look at the challenges that come with this. One challenge will be the workload and fitness of the player, as it won’t be easy to keep wickets for 14-16 overs and then also contribute with the ball.

Another issue can be the lack of bowling options if you count on your keeper to give you 3-4 overs and they have a bad day. Teams will also require someone as their ‘part-time’ keeper to keep wickets when your ‘wicket-keeping all-rounder’ comes on to bowl.

And apart from all this, the biggest challenge for this role to become popular will depend on the skill set of the wicket-keeper you can bowl. You can’t ask anyone to bowl 3-4 overs in a crunch game where the stakes are high. So quality and consistency will be crucial factors for this.

This might not become a trend very soon, but Donovan Ferreira's current role may inspire the next generation of wicket-keepers to at least work on their bowling skills too. You never know if teams/franchises find it useful, and they’ll start looking for players with such a skillset.

Tristan Stubbs from South Africa can also bowl some off-spin, and he keeps wicket as well. Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell from New Zealand are other excellent examples of wicket-keepers who can bowl if their teams require.

All in all, it will be very interesting to see how the game or this role of a ‘wicket-keeping all-rounder’ develops as we enter the new era of franchise cricket taking over the cricketing calendar.