SeamUp
International Coach
At least they're getting back their boxing day test this year.Or, they are trying to stop future senior rot for Durban
At least they're getting back their boxing day test this year.Or, they are trying to stop future senior rot for Durban
Errol Stewart“He is the best player in the world and with Dolphins cricket at such low ebb at the moment one would imagine that the administrators would do everything possible to dissuade him from leaving. It’s so sad to hear that he is going to Cape Town.
“He is born and bred in Durban. I don’t know the reasons but whatever they are there should have been some compromise. I know Hashim as a level-headed young cricketer and he would have been able to work through things but what went on between him at the cricket headquarters at Kingsmead is unknown.”
Pat Symcox“What! You’ve got to be kidding,” was Stewart’s first reaction to the news. “I’m shocked, surprised – what else can I say? He is a Durban boy, educated here and has everything going for him in this province.
“He is the best batsman in the world and should be playing here even though he does not get that many opportunities to do so because of his international commitments.
“It’s a great loss to the Dolphins because his presence at anyone of their games gives the team that semblance of balance and he is a guy to have in your team. He is the No 1 Test and One-Day International batsman in the world. I don’t know the reasons. I presume it’s personal and not cricketing issues.
“You must be pulling my leg.”
But when he was told that it was the case, he asked: “How could KwaZulu-Natal possibly let him go? Some 30-40 years ago when Barry Richards said he was going to leave Natal those in administration formed the Kingsmead Mynahs, raised money to keep him here.
“Now I hear that Hashim has gone. He’s an icon – every young kid looks up to him.
“I’m just shocked at what has happened. There must be an inquiry. Someone must be held responsible for KwaZulu-Natal losing an iconic sportsman, whom everyone looks up to and respects.”
My old club, Benoni Northerns, is representing Easterns. I think it is the first time they have made it to club champs, it has normally been Kempton Park CC representing the union.Club Champs started yesterday in Pretoria and this champion is still showing his love for the game at 37 and playing for Old Edwardians
Other franchise and top young talented provincial cricketers are also playing like Lizaad Williams (Maties-Boland), Solo Nqweni, Simon Harmer, Anrich Nortje (all NMMU-EP), Diego Rosier (St Patricks-Griquas), Vaughn Van Jaarsveld & Mthokozisi Shezi (Crusaders- KZN), Corne Dry (Kovsies- FS), Rassie van der Dussen (Pukke- NW), Stephen Cook, Devon Conway, Neil McKenzie (Old Eds, Gauteng) & Francois Le Clus (Tukkies, Northerns)
They had a bit of a stinker, poor Benoni Northerns. But certainly a great achievement for them considering Kempton Park and CBC Old Boys and Springs Old Boys who are normally the powerhouses in that region.My old club, Benoni Northerns, is representing Easterns. I think it is the first time they have made it to club champs, it has normally been Kempton Park CC representing the union.
I think they did OK, all things considered, 2 wins out of 5 isn't bad.They had a bit of a stinker, poor Benoni Northerns. But certainly a great achievement for them considering Kempton Park and CBC Old Boys and Springs Old Boys who are normally the powerhouses in that region.
NATIONAL REPRESENTATION FOR THE 2012/2013 SEASON:
Proteas
■Hashim Amla
■Lonwabo Tsotsobe
■Kyle Abbott
■David Miller
SA A
■Kyle Abbott
■Craig Alexander
■Vaughn Van Jaarsveld
SA Invitation
■Cody Chetty
■Craig Alexander
■Jonathan Vandiar
SA Emerging
■Cameron Delport
■Keshav Maharaj
■Khaya Zondo
SA Hong Kong 6’s
■Khaya Zondo
■Robbie Frylinck
■David Miller
SA U19
■Craig Kirsten
■Darren Dupavillon
■Greg Oldfield
■Tshepo Moreki
Commenting on the squad, Lance Klusener, Sunfoil Dolphins coach said, “I am looking forward to working with the team. I believe this is a young and talented squad that has the potential to get KZN back to the top of domestic cricket”.
KZN Cricket (Pty) Ltd CEO, Jesse Chellan commented, “We have retained the vast majority of our Sunfoil Dolphins contracted players from last season, with the loss of Ahmed Amla and Dane Paterson.
Although our results have not always shown it, the squad is maturing and starting to deliver on its potential.
Some examples of this are:
■Achieving 4 wins out of 5 matches during the Sunfoil Series.
■Kyle Abbott’s elevation to the Proteas team, after being the leading wicket taker in 4 day cricket with 49 wickets at an average of 15.
■David Miller’s call up to the Proteas Champions Trophy squad on the back on his domestic limited overs performances, including his outstanding 101 off 38 balls for the Kings XI
■Vaughn van Jaarsveld’s career best performance of 160 against the Titans
■Cameron Delport’s great 100 in T20 cricket against the Knights
■Cody Chetty’s maiden franchise 100 and averaging 40 in 4 day cricket.
■Keshav Maharaj’s career best of 5 for 11 for the Dolphins vs. Titans
■Daryn Smit’s strike rate in T20 cricket at 162”.
Another key highlight has been the significant national representation across all the teams. In total 10 out of the contracted squad of 18 has played representative cricket for SA this season. This is indicative of the talent available throughout our pipeline.
But clearly more consistent, match winning team performances are required, and this remains our challenge for the new season.
The addition of Morne van Wyk will strengthens the leadership group and we look forward to him sharing his experience and winning know-how to our squad whose average age is 24.
Management and the coaching staff believe that we are on the cusp of great things and are looking forward to the new season.”
It is still our intention to recruit overseas professionals again this season to further add the necessary experience. We await Cricket South Africa’s confirmation on the national contracted players”.
Fa-eez Jaffar, President of KZNCU, commented, “This squad is a young and talented squad. Many of these players have worked hard at their game and have come through the ranks. Some of these players have been rewarded for their hard work and have had the opportunity to play at a higher level. The addition of Morne van Wyk adds experience to the team and solidifies our top order. We at KZN Cricket Union and the KZN Cricket PTY are committed to backing our team for the coming season.”
SQUAD:Dolphins Cricket CEO Jesse Chellan is confident they have enough potential in their squad to build a strong team next season.
On Monday, the Dolphins released the names of the 17 players they have contracted for the 2013/14 campaign.
The biggest absentee is star Proteas batsman Hashim Amla, who announced last month that he would be leaving Durban for the Cobras, in Cape Town.
Also missing is Lonwabo Tsotsobe, but Chellan said he had not yet been informed about the future of the left-arm seamer.
"I saw in a press release from Cricket SA that he's listed to play for the Lions, but I've requested from CSA that they send me all the franchise listed players who have CSA contracts.
"I don't have any formal notification about it, but it does look like he won't be here," he said.
Amla did not feature for the franchise last season because of his national commitments, and Tsotsobe played in only the One Day Cup series.
The Dolphins will have only two current national players on their books in limited-overs batting specialist David Miller and seam bowler Kyle Abbott.
Abbott had a storming induction to test cricket earlier this year, when he claimed nine wickets on debut against Pakistan in Centurion.
Amla's older brother Ahmed is also no longer part of the set-up, after announcing his retirement, and Dane Paterson has moved on.
The Dolphins, under new coach Lance Klusener, ended third in the Sunfoil Series this season after winning four games, more than they had done in the
previous three seasons.
However, they disappointed in the 50-over and 20-over competitions, finishing fifth in both.
"Although our results have not always shown it, the squad is maturing and starting to deliver on its potential," Chellan said.
"The only new signing is veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Morne van Wyk, who joined from the Knights."
Chellan said Van Wyk would strengthen their leadership group and he believed the player's experience and "winning know-how" would be a valuable addition to
the team.
"We just need to see some of the youngsters we have, to build on the potential, just like Kyle did last season by taking 49 wickets," he said.
"Clearly, more consistent, match-winning team performances are required, and this remains our challenge for the new season."
Nice fat pay-off with a franchise contract without playing last season.Monde Zondeki officially announced his retirement a couple of days ago.