Archive for the ‘Cricket South Africa’ Category

Proteas  cricketer, Loots Bosman,  paid a surprise visit to the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Women’s team during their Cricket South Africa (CSA) Women’s Provincial League final against Western Province (WP) at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Saturday.

Bosman, who heard about the match from a friend at the stadium, was keen to see how the women were getting along, and watched as KZN beat WP by four wickets to win the CSA Women’s Provincial League.

“This is my first time at a women’s cricket match and I must say that I’m very impressed.  The way KZN are bowling is phenomenal and the shots played by WP have been really good, I honestly didn’t know that women’s cricket could be so exciting.”

Bosman was particularly impressed by the fielding effort from the KZN women. “People might look at this match and think that women’s cricket is easier than men’s, but all the credit must go to KZN for their brilliant bowling,” he remarked.  Women’s cricket has come a long way since the first national squad was selected in 1997, but support for the women’s game is lacking, something Bosman hopes will change soon.

“I wish more people would come out to matches to see just how fun it is to watch the ladies play.  A large number of cricket fans are women these days and it’s only fair for us men to come out and show our support too.  I never thought that I could have so much fun watching the ladies. South Africa really have talent, maybe if we band together and show the ladies support, they will be as big as the men’s domestic teams and the Proteas. ”

Scorecard: CSA Women’s Provincial League Final, Saturday, 20 March 2010, Sahara Stadium Kingsmead

Western Province won the toss and elected to bat

WESTERN PROVINCE 125 all out (40.4 overs)

A. Kilowan 27, S. Ismail 27

R. Maharaj 2-25; Devnarain 3-30

KWAZULU-NATAL 126/6 (46.3 overs)

N. Sole 48, T. Chetty 21                                 

A. Kilowan  2-18; N. Pipers    3-14

KZN won by four wickets

They say credit should be given where credit is due, and that has been the case with the National Women’s selectors and Chloe Tryon. The 16 year-old has been selected in the 14-member squad to take part in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in the Carribean in May, just reward after her stunning form in the CSA Women’s Provincial League this season. KwaZulu-Natal meet Western Province in the Final on Saturday and their success over the past season has been largely due to Tryon’s all-round performance on the field.

“Nobody’s place in the Women’s squad is secure and Chloe has pushed some of the experienced campaigners this season. She has been superb for Gauteng and she can definitely play an important role in Women’s cricket in the future. We have kept it consistent with 12 of the 14 players having taken part in the last home series against the West Indies but have included some dynamic performers,” said Senior National Coach, Noor Rhode.

Sixteen may seem a young age to make an entry into International cricket, but contributions and talent come first for the selectors. The determined all-rounder is the leading wicket taker in the competition with 20 scalps at a healthy average of 4.45 and is a powerful hitter of the ball, a skill that will come handy in the 20-over format.

“Bowling is my strong point but i can definitely bat as well. The National Women’s team have had disappointing runs at previous World Cups so hopefully i can help the team bring the trophy home,” said an excited Tryon.  

The selectors have also shown their intentions with the inclusion of experienced all-rounder Susan Benade. Benade was dropped for the West Indies home series in October and has worked her way back into the national fold. Cri-Zelda Brits has been reappointed as captain, coming back after a two year absence in charge. Kirsty Thomson and Marizanne Kapp are the unfortunate players to miss out.

Squad :Cri-Zelda Brits (Captain;Gauteng), Susan Benade (Free State), Trisha Chetty (KwaZulu-Natal), Mignon du Preez (Northerns), Shandre Fritz (Western Province), Shabnum Ismail (Western Province), Ashlyn Kilowan (Western Province), Marcia Letsoalo (Northerns), Sunette Loubser (Boland), Alicia Smith (Boland), Angelique Taai (Border), Chloe Tryon (KwaZulu-Natal), Charlize van der Westhuizen (Northerns), Dane van Niekerk (Northerns).

Team Management: Enver Mall (Manager), Noor Rhode (Coach), John Bailey (Assistant Coach), Megan Dutton (Physiotherapist).

Non Travelling Reserves: Marizanne Kapp (Northerns), Kirsty Thomson (Gauteng), Dinesha Devnarain (KwaZulu-Natal), Masabata Klaas (Free State).

The semi-finals of the CSA Women’s Provincial League were packed with drama as the star studded, Northerns, crashed out of the league with an eight wicket loss to Western Province on Saturday and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) defeated Gauteng in a 99 run victory.

Northerns won the toss and elected to bat first and were all out for a paltry 56 runs. None of the five national players made their mark, and Innocentia Khonyane was the only player who made more than 15 runs, making a high scoring 17 not out. The pick of Western Province’s bowlers was Lee Jacobs, who took four wickets for 11 runs off six overs.

In reply, Western Province sailed to their win in 19.4 overs with the loss of only two wickets and Lee Jacobs being the high scoring batswoman on 20 not out.

In Lenasia, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Women continued their unbeaten streak over the 2009/2010 CSA Women’s Provincial League when they beat Gauteng by 99 runs. It was a moment to savor for coach, Horatius Sokhanyile, who watched his ladies struggle in the previous season; “I’m swelling up with pride today when I look at my ladies, this win was not easy, but it showed just how strong they are and how determined they are and can be in the face of adversity.”

Gauteng won the toss and elected to field. KZN were all out for a competitive score of 205, with captain and former national team player, Denisha Devnarain top scoring with 41 runs from 71 balls.

In reply, Gauteng only managed 106 all out, with Kirsty Thomas high scoring at 38 runs. KZN’s success was due mostly to consistent performances from Cloe Tryonne and Rasika Maharaj, who took three wickets each.

The final of the CSA Women’s Provincial League takes place on Saturday, 20 March where KZN will host Western Province in what is sure to be a cracker of a match. Western Province would like to be the team to beat KZN for the first time in the league this season, but KZN coach is determined to win this one; “We understand that Western Province are a disciplined team and play very good cricket, but we won’t allow them to walk all over us,” Sokhanyile remarked.

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Women will look to continue with their unbeaten streak when they clash with Gauteng Women in the semi finals of the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Women’s Provincial League on Saturday, 6 March in Lenasia. KZN cruised into the semi-finals after winning all of their round robin games and finished top of the Central region log with forty points, and a net run-rate of 3.21.

Coach, Horatius Sokhanyile, is delighted with his team’s progress to date: “We are of course pleased with the ladies’ performance this season and especially in this tournament.  Their performance has shown the yard stick of our hard work.  To come back from last season’s performance the way they did shows the mindset of the team.”

KZN also boast the top two bowlers in the league, Chloe Tryonne and Rasika Maharaj, and also have two batters lying in fourth and sixth in the batting averages, Nikita Sole and Trisha Chetty showing their worth with the willow.

Sokhanyile had special praise for Maharaj and Tryonne: You have to watch out for Rasika Maharaj and Chloe Tryonne, their performance in bowling and batting has been a revelation.”

While KZN go into the semi-finals with a lot of confidence, they refuse to underestimate their opponents, Gauteng, the leading team on the Highveld log. A good strategy will never go amiss and the coach knows where they have to work hardest, “My ladies are aware of the four top players in Gauteng’s line-up. Our line of bowling attack will be one inch outside off stump,” he explained.

Regardless of the result, it will prove to be a semi-final to remember, with some of the top female cricketers in the country battling it out. In the second semi-final, Western Province take on Northerns, who finished second on the Highveld log and progressed by virtue of the highest run-rate.

Teams for Semi-finals:

KZN: Denisha Devnarain (Captain); Trisha Chetty; Nadine Moodley; Nivasha Ramnath; Hayleigh Wheeler; Chloe Tryonne; Prudence Gcabashe; Nicole Nel; Rasika Maharaj; Kayleigh Taap; Nikkita Sole; Deyanka Naidoo

Gauteng: Cri-Zelda Brits (Captain), Kirstie Thomson, Savannah Cordes, Nicole Daniels, Yumna Plowker, Morgan Prim, Jameelah Shaikjee, Celeste Niehaus, Beverley Chlulee, Bennita Van Der Merwe, Nonkhululeko Thabethe, Shaakira Mohammed, Hester Watson, Tanya Brits

Western Province: tbc

Northerns: Charlize Van Der Westhuizen (Captain), Marcia Letsoalo, Lerato Malesa, Mignon Du Preez, Maria Makhubo, Melisa Smook, Kay Harichand, Dane Van Niekerk, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp ,Innocentia Konyane (wk), Boitumelo Maboa

The Senior National Women’s team selectors looked to the future when they named a 22-member training squad to take part in a camp from 12-14 March in Cape Town. 14 of the 22 players took part in the home series against the West Indies Women in October last year. Free State’s Masabatha Klaas and Border’s Ayabonga Kakha are the two new caps in the training squad, with the objective of grooming them for the national stage.

“The two youngsters showed a lot of promise during the Super 4’s competition and we want them around the national structures so that they can grow with the game. They are both all-rounders and they are hungry and eager to play, we want to guide them onto the next step,” said convenor of selectors, Denis Reid.

Only 17, both players have represented their respective provinces in the Senior Provincial Women’s Competition and were part of the SA Under 19 XI that was selected at the national U19 girls week in December. The squad will be trimmed down to 14 at the camp, with the remaining players on show at the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

Senior National Women’s Coach, Noor Rhode, was optimistic about the future prospects: “ It is always our mission to groom youngsters for the future and I think these two players can reach the top level if they work hard and have the desire to get there. No one’s place in the side is ever guaranteed so they will bring in the extra pressure onto under-performing players.”

The rain caused many disruptions during the Super 4’s Competition in Kimberly, with both the Final and the Plate Final being affected by the storms. East Coast were unlucky to lose to Highveld in the Final by the D/L Method, after going through the round-robin stages as the only unbeaten team. The Plate Final was washed out without a ball bowled.

Squad: Charlize van der Westhuizen (Northerns), Dane van Niekerk (Northerns), Mignon du Preez (Northerns), Marcia Letsoalo (Northerns), Marizanne Kapp (EP), Kirstie Thomson (Gauteng), Cri-Zelda Brits (Gauteng), Susan Benade (Free State), Annelie Minny (Free State), Masabatha Klaas (Free State), Trisha Chetty (KZN), Chloe Tryonne (KZN), Denisha Devnarian (KZN), Rasika Maharaj (KZN), Ayabonga Kakha (Border), Angelique Taai (Border), Sunette Loubser (Boland), Alicia Smith (Boland), Shandre Fritz (Western Province), Olivia Anderson (Western Province), Shabnum Ismail (Western Province), Ashlyn Kilowan (Western Province)