THE Hollywoodbets.net Crusaders cricket team had the perfect start to their 2015/16 season, winning the Castle Premier T20 Cup final at Kingsmead. The Crusaders beat Delta Cricket Club by five wickets in a low-scoring affair.
It was the ‘Good Guys’ second T20 title in three years and it shows the Durban North-based team has lost none of its focus in replicating the success from earlier this year.

Not only did they clinch their sixth successive premier league earlier this year, they also clinched the Momentum National Club Championships in May with a one-wicket victory over the Steinhoff Maties, becoming the first KZN club to win the championships and the first community club team to win the tournament in more than 10 years of the competition.

In the T20 final, Delta won the toss and chose to bat on a good wicket; however, thanks to some immaculate lengths from the ‘Saders bowlers, the Durban-based team found themselves six down in the first eight overs. A half century from Sunfoil Dolphins player, Daryn Smit, however, propelled Delta to 84/6 in their 20 overs. Jesse Smit (3/22), Nick Hewer (1/9) and Dolphins bastman, Cameron Delport (1/8) were the pick of the bowlers.

Crusaders only lost five wickets in pursuit of the low target and eventually closed out the game in the 17th over.

“The result was never in doubt, but we did make hard work of it. I would have batted first; our batting is really our strength, so losing the toss was not the best start. However, the boys bowled superbly, they really performed as a unit and we were able to peg them back, which was fantastic.

“I’m so proud of the team and it’s fantastic to continue the winning culture at the club,” explained Mike Alexander, who captained the team.

Coincidentally, the last time Alexander captained the T20 side they also went on to win the title, but the 25-year-old insists it was his teammates who deserved all the praise.

“It’s a great start to the season and I have to say the guys were determined to carry on the legacy of the club, especially with a new era of players coming through the ranks. The team spirit was phenomenal and everybody chipped in, we have great depth in the squad,” he said.