Dashing cricket from young livewires
Captain Deshan Pillay led his eager troops well and they provided some very entertaining cricket over the six games, of which they won four and lost two.
ENERGY, enthusiasm and excitement … that’s what the U11 Umzinto cricket team brought to the recent KwaZulu-Natal Primary Schools’ U11 Cricket Festival played at various venues in Durban.
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Each game was 30 overs a side. Captain Deshan Pillay led his eager troops well and they provided some very entertaining cricket over the six games, of which they won four and lost two.
They had some adventurous batsmen upfront, like Johar Maharaj and Mason Bosman, youngsters not afraid to have a go and belt the red ball to the boundary.
In the bowling department they didn’t lack for pace, with Njabulo Gumbi producing some lively stuff and causing batsmen to hop around in their crease.
Either that or he trapped them leaden-footed, plumb LBW. A highlight of the tournament was his hat-trick in game four.
The team also had some wily medium pacers, able to swing it nicely and get some movement off the pitch.
They were all backed up by some controlled spin.
To complement this all, the fielding was quite brilliant at times.
There were errors too, some comical, like overthrows for five and even six runs on occasion, but it was more reflective of the ‘go for it’ attitude than anything else.
There was an exuberance and love for the game that shone through.
Of course it’s easier to get excited when you are winning, but some of these youngsters could be destined for bigger things down the line if they stick at it.
The team comprised Uriah Govender, Keegan Kilmartin, Mesuli Mvuyane, Cade Canham, Asi Cele, Njabulo Gumbi, Riley Hooper, Thobani Nkomo, Johar Maharaj, Mason Bosman, Deshan Pillay, Shivaar Sivpersad.
It was coached by Gavin Reddy and managed by Ameen Ismail.
RESULTS
DAY 1
Game 1 vs Durban South at Glenashley.
Durban South 58/10. (Njabulo Gumbi 2-15, Cade Canham 4-7, Deshan Pillay 2-17)
Umzinto 59/2 in eight overs, but asked by selectors to bat all 30. (Johar Maharaj 57*, Shivaar Sivpersad 29)
Result: Umzinto on by eight wickets.
Game 2 vs North Coast at Reddam Umhlanga.
Umzinto 309/7. (Johar Maharaj 107*, Mason Bosman 97)
North Coast 102 all out. (Njabulo Gumbi 4-17, Cade Canham 0-0, Deshan Pillay 3-13).
Result: Umzinto won by 207 runs.
DAY 2
Game 3 vs King Cetswayo at Chelsea Prep.
Umzinto 110 all out in 23 overs. (Njabulo Gumbi 21, Deshan Pillay 21, Shivaar Sivpersad 16).
King Cetswayo 111/7. (Cade Canham 3-24, Njabulo Gumbi 2-27, Johar Maharaj 2-18).
Result: Umzinto lost by three wickets.
Game 4 vs KwaZulu-Natal RPC at Atholton.
Umzinto 58 all out in 18.1 overs. (Thobane Nkomo 19*)
KwaZulu-Natal RPC 16/10 in seven overs. (Njabulo Gumbi 6-10 including a hat-trick, Cade Canham 3-5).
Result: Umzinto won by 42 runs.
DAY 3
Game 5 vs Southern KwaZulu-Natal at Glenashley.
Umzinto 109 all out. (Shivaar Sivpersad 27, Mason Bosman 29).
Southern KZN: 67 all out. (Johar Maharaj 3-10, Njabulo Gumbi 2-24, Deshan Pillay 2-9).
Result: Umzinto won by 42 runs.
Game 6 vs Ilembe at Virgina.
Ilembe 133 for 4 in 30 overs. (Mason Bosman 2-12, Deshan Pillay 2-25).
Umzinto: 82 all out. (Shivaar Sivpersad 33).
Result: Umzinto lost by 51 runs.
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