David Bendingham signed up as a wildcard pick for SunRisers Eastern Cape in SA20 Season 3

SunRisers Eastern Cape have signed David Bedingham as a wildcard pick ahead of the third season of the SA20. The team defended their championship last year.

Led by Aiden Markram, SunRisers Eastern Cape impressed everyone throughout the tournament as they won seven games and lost just twice. The Gqeberha-based franchise then went on to thump Durban's Super Giants twice, first in the Qualifier and then in the finals.

Ahead of the third season, the defending champions have decided to make reinforcements to their squad and have added a few new faces. After making two signings earlier, they have decided to sign up Bedingham in a bid to make their batting stronger.

Bedingham enjoyed a good test season with the bat in hand. Making his debut last year against New Zealand, the batter has raked up 347 runs across four Tests, with a hundred and two half-centuries to his name.

He is currently plying his trade for Durham in the T20 Blast, where the right-hander has scored 225 runs across seven games with a strike rate of 163.04 and a high score of 78.

The Eastern Cape franchise announced the signing of the 30-year-old with the following post on X:

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SunRisers Eastern Cape have also signed Zak Crawley, Craig Overton and Roelof van der Merwe

In addition to the signing of David Bedingham, the defending champions bolstered their squad strength with the signings of England Test opener, Zak Crawley, fast bowler Craig Overton and seasoned Netherlands spinner Roelof van der Merwe.

While this will be the first time Crawley will be playing in the SA20, Roelof van der Merwe has re-signed and will continue his association with the double-defending champions.

The spinner played the first season and was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, picking up 20 wickets with a 4/31 against Pretoria Capitals in the finals that year. He also holds the record for the best figures in SA20, picking up 6/20 against Durban Super Giants.

After being ruled out last season due to an injury, fast bowler Craig Overton and SunRisers Eastern Cape have continued their association, with the Englishman set to represent the Gqeberha-based franchise. It will be his first outing in the SA20 and he will be eager to make his mark in the tournament.