‘Ice Man’ spins Southern KwaZulu-Natal to victory
There's a great team spirit and that has helped in bringing in some good results.
The spin bowling of two of Southern KwaZulu-Natal cricket’s stalwarts proved far too much for Chatsworth United in a Level Two Challenge Cup match at Port Shepstone Country Club last Sunday.
Raja Kazi used to bowl at blistering pace, but when he hit his 30s he reinvented himself as a spin bowler.
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN : PICS: Cricket lessons bowl ’em over
The result is that he bowls it pretty quickly through the air and his arm ball…well, it fairly thuds into the wicket-keeper’s gloves.
Off-spinner Gershion Lawrence proved to be the pick of the bowlers last Sunday, taking five for 26 in 10 overs.
“I was keen to get home early and watch the Manchester United game against Manchester City,” he laughed later.
Interestingly, he gathered the wickets in somewhat of a hurry after he started to really float them in.
“They’re coming down with ice on them,” said wicket-keeper Ashley Lombard (never short of a chirp, even if it’s directed at a teammate) on more than one occasion, in reference to how much air he was giving his deliveries.
Lawrence’s haul included a catch off his own bowling, where even he was deceived by the lack of pace and leapt less-than-gracefully into the air far too early.
In the end he had enough time to recover and take an easy catch, but his teammates saw the funny side… and were sure to let him know about it!
The slow turn proved the undoing of Chatsworth, bamboozling the lower order.
The visitors had won the toss and batting first had gotten off to a decent start.
From 72-4 Chatsworth was sewn up for a paltry 97 all out in 29.3 overs.
Other wickets were picked up Kazi, Matt Redinger, Imtiaz Hatiya and Altaaf Hussein. There was a run out as well.
In reply, Redinger and Ali Iftikhar tore into Chatsworth’s bowling and were almost over the line before Iftikhar got out stumped for 38.
Number three Sachin Kalkapersad didn’t get much chance to have a go and was 0 not out.
Redinger was 64 not out, an innings including five powerful blows which cleared the ropes.
The final score was 99 for one off 11.1 overs. That’s flying.
After the loss the previous week it was good for Southern KZN to get a convincing win to finish the first round of fixtures.
The team will most certainly face tougher opposition in the new year when the reverse fixtures take place.
Still, with only one loss so far this season, Southern KZN, sponsored by Sunola Oil Mills, is in a very good position and also has good depth to the squad when one considers that the Bishop cousins, Gareth and Morné, didn’t play, and neither did fast bowler Sahal Mansur.
The players can now enjoy the break and come back ready to take on all comers.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
