Delfos throwing the young guns into the deep end
Delfos ladies fall agonisingly short in Womens Black Widow T20 semi-final
The rough potential of youth can only be tested and solidified in the fires of elite competition.
Delfos Cricket Club’s Enza Premier League team took on Jeppe Quondam Cricket Club at Cecil Payne Stadium, 28 March. The match would be between two teams who have dedicated much of the season to giving their young guns a chance at the sharp end of the local club scene. Delfos and Jeppe could boast that more than half of their First XI were made up of high school aged talent, some as young as 14 and 15.
Before a ball was bowled, both teams lined up for a guard of honour for umpire Satich Jivan who celebrated 30 years of concentrated adjudication at the crease.
“Satich has been a loyal servant of Central Gauteng Lions Cricket. At one stage he was a member of the National Panel and in our younger days we played club cricket against each other,” said Delfos Chairman, Faizel Sallie.
Out in the middle, Jeppe would bowl first. With a combination of intimidating pace and accurate lines and lengths, Delfos were limited to a steady yet tentative innings. Brad Easton would top score with 46 off 93 balls followed by an energetic Yusuf Ravat with 22 off 60, as they
posted 106 all out in 42,3 overs. Regular Jeppe wickets would keep the contest tight, but after a brief lightning interruption, a revised target of 97 would be chased down in 24 overs for the loss of seven wickets.
Delfos’ attention would not be restricted to their home endeavours, as their ladies team was participating in the Steyn City-hosted semi-final of the Women’s Black Widow T20 competition. Delfos Ladies would bowl first against Soweto Pioneers who posted a challenging 132/4 in their 20 overs. Delfos may rue not being more adventurous as they lost only five wickets while they crawled along at just over four runs per over, falling 45 runs short at the end of their 20-over chase.
Back at Cecil Payne, the intended positives of the youthful experimentation was being reflected upon. Eyes will be fixed on Kwena Mphaka’s development as the 14-year-old had a day to remember, claiming his first senior five-wicket haul and finishing with figures of five wickets for 22
runs in seven overs. After an Easter weekend break, the young stars will get to show their stuff in a high-pressure playoff atmosphere.
