Drive time with Hollywoodbets Dolphins as Southern KZN cricketers test their skills
There was a great atmosphere on the day.
It may not have been the full strength Hollywood Bets Dolphins cricket team but there was enough talent on display at Port Shepstone CC last Saturday to give local fans an idea of how good these players are.
After a morning with the KFC Mini Cricket children, who came from various schools in the area, it was time for the local Southern KZN cricket team to test their skills in this exhibition match.
The locals bowled first.
Theo Nicholls, brought out of retirement to open the bowling in the absence of Matt Redinger who’s overseas, showed indoor cricket is serving him well and produced a tidy spell.
However, Sahal Mansur, bowling into the wind, may have to visit the chiropractor for a neck adjustment after seeing his inswing deliveries belted back over his head and onto the golf course by left-hander Blayde Capell.
(How’s that for a name for a batsman?)
Wicketkeeper Ashley Lombard provided Mark Boucher-like commentary from behind the stumps as the ‘chirps’ flowed.
Dolphins captain Khaya Zondo was a touch circumspect at the beginning of his innings, dabbing it around for singles … or maybe Danie Kleinhans just bowled well.
Zondo then asked for another bat. Lombard couldn’t resist. “Can’t get it off the square, needs a new bat,” he said.
Two balls later, when Kleinhans bowled a no ball and Zondo had a free hit, the ball flew the rope and landed in the rough near the 18th hole.
What was impressive was the timing of the shot. “Such a pure strike,” said Nicholls, fielding in the covers.
The local spinners did okay.
Gershion Lawrence skittled Khalipha Cele, a former South Coaster now knocking on the door of the Dolphins team.
Raja Kazi picked up the wicket of Capell (who made 59 off 22 balls), caught in the deep by Sahal, so he at least contributed to his dismissal and the colossal smile told the story.
Had he dropped it he probably would have gone and hidden under the covers or in the scorer’s hut.
The Dolphins made 175 in 20 overs.
In reply, the locals immediately found gear – but it was reverse, with Kleinhans bowled very first ball of the innings.
This brought the chirper to the wicket and he backed it up for a while, hitting some crisp shots to the boundary.
He couldn’t resist some of the short stuff dished up by Daryn Dupavillon and was caught down at backward square leg for 18.
Dupavillon, who has a build like a rod of iron and resembles Dale Steyn in no small way, was only bowling at around 120km/h, maybe 125, when he’s been known to clock in at 150km/h.
Morné Bishop played a few good shots, including a powerful pull à la Herschelle Gibbs to the mid-wicket boundary.
At this point, Zondo, who has been touted as a possible regular Protea player and even skipper one day, had a few words in isiZulu with his bowler.
It was all in his mother tongue except for the word ‘serious’. Despite it being a fun game, he just didn’t enjoy that. (These are competitive sportsmen after all.)
The next ball was noticeably quicker, nipping off the track, shaving Bishop’s bat edge and flying to Prenelan Subrayen at slip.
It was a top catch and Bishop stood rooted for a moment, stunned, before reluctantly walking off.
There was some cow-shed corner slogging later in the innings with everyone getting a bowl. The locals could only manage 119 all out.
All in all, the match was played in great spirit and the hope is that it’ll happen again before too long.
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