iLembe’s cricket future looks bright

The future of iLembe cricket is in good hands with a group of exciting youngsters ready to make their Premier Division debuts.

iLembe will be in action weekly from Saturday, kicking off a new season with the T20 tournament which will give the next generation a chance to get a taste of semi-professional cricket.

Combined with a central core of veteran players that have kept the team in the Premier Division for three years running, the youngsters hope to make a push towards the top of the league.

And it will be trial by fire in many matches, including against Chatsworth in the opener, with the side from the south boasting many current and ex-Dolphins players.

“Many of the teams in the league are better resourced than us but our boys play with passion and have earned the right to play the best,” said iLembe Cricket Union president, Desigan Pillay.

“We are ready to compete but also need to have one eye on the future, which is why we are focusing on blooding some youth players this year.”

James Wright (15), Matthew de Klerk (16) and Keanu Naidoo (16) are among that group and are thrilled to test their abilities against strong competition.

Wright is an opening quick from Ashton International College North Coast who is used to ‘playing up’ in age terms.

Still in Grade 9, the speedster has modelled his game on Marco Jansen and has played for the school’s first team since Grade 8.

De Klerk is his Ashton teammate, and the Grade 10 bowling allrounder cites AB de Villiers as an idol growing up.

Keanu Naidoo is a batting allrounder from Curro Salt Rock, holding down the top of the order while providing some partnership-breaking medium pace bowling.

David Miller is his favourite Protea.

All three youngsters have already played representative cricket for iLembe and join Robert Pritchard as the youth contingent heading into the season.

But despite the positive take-up from this group, Pillay says they are always looking for new players to be added as cover.

With enough support, the district could also put out a second team and solidify its position as one of the best teams in the province.

Home games are played on Sundays at Gledhow, while training is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Ashton at 4.30pm.

To find out more or register your interest in the team, contact coach Comfort Shange at 079 673 2474.

The T20 league runs until November, after which the 50 over league starts and runs into the new year.

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