Pretoria Capitals hopeful of striking gold with two little-known world record-breaking batters

Division 1, Division 2, it doesn't matter to Pretoria Capitals skipper Wayne Parnell where the SA20 franchise's recruits come from domestically.

The team notably have Shane Dadswell and Marco Marais on their roster, two attacking right-handers who are currently playing provincially in the backwaters of Division 2 for Easterns and the Eastern Cape Iinyathi (formerly Border) respectively.

However, the selection of the duo at last year's auction represents an example of potentially shrewd business in this year's inaugural edition.

Both hold eye-catching records.

Dadswell, as a 20-year-old back in 2017, broke the world record for the highest individual score in any 50-over match, smashing an incredible 57 sixes in an innings of 490 off 151 deliveries for North West University in a North West Cricket premier league encounter with Potchefstroom Dorp.

Marais' feat will be held in higher esteem as his unbeaten 300 off 191 balls for Border against Eastern Province is the fastest triple century in first-class cricket.

Both men have, at times, struggled for consistency in the longer formats, but their records in T20s are impressive, Dadswell boasting a strike-rate of 154 and Marais 144.

Marais, who did play sporadically in the controversial Mzansi Super League, boasts two centuries in the 20-over format too.

That they're currently out of the spotlight is simply a consequence of South Africa's revamped provincial system, Parnell believes.      

"As the new structure played out, the contracts became limited. Unfortunately then there are some really good players that end up missing out. The Capitals have watched these guys and identified them," he said.

"Whether it's first or second division, it doesn't really matter. In the end, there are