Eoin Morgan excited for Paarl Royals debut, believes SA20 can create 'domestic heroes'

Former England captain Eoin Morgan cannot wait to take part in the inaugural SA20 next year and believes the tournament can unearth local talent.

Morgan, who retired from international cricket this year, captained England to the ICC Cricket World Cup title in a thrilling final against New Zealand at Lord's in 2019.

The Dublin-born batter will represent the Paarl Royals next month when the SA20 gets underway from 10 January to 11 February.

Morgan will join up with T20 World Cup-winning captain Jos Buttler and fellow 2019 World Cup batter Jason Roy for the Royals at Boland Park.

"I can't wait. It's unbelievably exciting coming back to a country that I love playing in and have played quite a bit in for the last six/seven years," Morgan said.

"To be teaming up with my very good friends, Jos Buttler and Jason Roy is something I am looking forward to. But not only that, the tournament and the time of year it's over allows us all to bring our families and share the experience of not only touring a beautiful country but also playing cricket's most popular format."

The Paarl Royals is coached by former Proteas all-rounder JP Duminy, and include Proteas players David Miller, Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi.

This isn't the first time Morgan has played a T20 competition in South Africa, having once represented the Tshwane Spartans in the Mzansi Super League.

Morgan has played in the Indian Premier League, Hundred, Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League and Caribbean Premier League, and he believes that the new SA20 can unearth similar home-grown heroes.

"Some of the most exciting tournaments that I have played in, I have played in their inaugural year, things are very raw, things are very exciting, and one of the biggest attributes that a