Former Protea shares his insights on Cricket World Cup

MANY remember former Protea bowler Mornantau ‘Nantie’ Hayward for his express pace, his fiery passion and his red hair.

In his career, the 46-year-old has represented South Africa in both Test Match cricket and One Day International (ODI) cricket, taking 54 test wickets and 21 ODI wickets.

Hayward made his ODI debut against England in 1998 and then followed that up with his Test debut a year later in Gqeberha, his home province.

In that match, he finished as the pick of the South African bowlers with figures of 4/75.

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He was also a talented baseball player, representing SA at junior level and has also represented the Mandela Bay Baseball seniors team.

Now, as the director of Cricket at Northwood School, Hayward is moulding and developing young cricketing talent in an effort to help them reach their full potential.

In the coming weeks, Caxton Durban will be speaking to former national and provincial cricketers to get their take on the men’s ODI Cricket World Cup (CWC) which is underway in India and runs until November 19.

When did cricket start for you?

“Many people don’t know this, but my first love was actually baseball. I was a pitcher and represented SA at junior level, and my family also loved baseball. I had to walk across the cricket ground at my school to get to the baseball field practice. I would often stop to watch a game of cricket and played some in primary school. However, that was because my friends played the game. It wasn’t until high school that I had any sort of formal coaching. I consider myself a development cricketer because of that. I was then selected for the junior Eastern Province team and I never looked back.”

Who is your cricketing idol?

“It would have to be Kepler Wessels. He was captain of the Eastern Province seniors at the time, and I was in the junior U19 set-up. I was 17 at the time, and I distinctly remember being called up to bowl at the team. There were guys I looked up to, like Merrick Pringle and Kepler. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing initially. For example, I would bowl cross seam, and I didn’t know that in order to get the ball to move, I had to keep the seam upright. Throughout my cricketing career, Kepler was like my cricket dad. He looked after me and guided me. He was just an amazing person.”

What is your proudest moment in your career?

“I think it was earning my first Protea cap. I loved playing for my country. It was a privilege to wear the green and gold. I always say that’s something no one can take away from you. The other standout moment for me was playing my first test match at St George’s Park. I was so proud to play at my home ground, and my first-ever wicket in international cricket was that of England’s Michael Atherton. That was a special wicket to get on debut.”

What is your favourite Cricket World Cup memory?

“I will never forget that image of Jonty Rhodes throwing himself at the stumps in Brisbane at the 1992 World Cup to dismiss Pakistan’s Inzamam-ul-Haq. I can still picture it so clearly, and I was just wowed by his athleticism. Little did I know I would have the chance to play with him a few years later.”

Who is the player to watch out for at the World Cup?

“It is a tough one to say, but I really rate New Zealand’s Devon Conway. I love his approach to the game, his presence at the crease and the way he plays. He is a joy to watch when he is batting. I think he has the ability to light up this World Cup.”

Who do you think will win the World Cup?

“My heart says the Proteas, of course. I’d love the boys to do well and bring home that trophy; I know they will fight hard. On the other hand, if I look at the complete package, I would say New Zealand. They have some great players, and I just like the way they place cricket. I think they are also underrated, but yet, they are two-time finalists.”

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