KZN Premier League promotion for Umzinto cricket team
This is a massive achievement for the district.
The Umzinto and Districts Cricket Union is proud to announce that the UDCU Promotion League team won the final of the KZN Cricket Union Promotion League tournament.
This victory results in Umzinto being promoted into the KZN Premier League next season.
This is indeed a massive achievement for the district and the pinnacle every team aims for in KZN.
The Promotion League consists of 18 teams and Umzinto played well to stay in the top 9 to be in contention for the final. Despite numerous obstacles like weather, player injuries, etc., the team fought hard to make it into the final against Dawn Heights.
The final was played at Gledhow field in Stanger and the match was reduced to 42 overs due to morning rain.
Losing the toss, Umzinto was sent into bat on a difficult pitch. Regular loss of wickets meant that batsmen had to adjust and play a patient game, waiting to score off the bad balls.
A calm, workman like innings from Vishay Singh helped him accumulate 49 runs. He built valuable partnerships during the innings. Young Jordan Gopaul also held up partnerships towards the end and more wickets tumbled.
Umzinto was bowled out for 134 on the last ball of the last over.
Umzinto were up to the challenge and strike bowlers Lashay Govender (4 wickets) and Faheem Hoosein (3 wickets) made early and regular breakthroughs. A fighting tailender partnership from Dawn Heights threatened to take the match away from Umzinto before some brilliant fielding from youngster Sahl Peerbhay resulted in the last batsman being run out. The opposition were out for 115 after 32 overs.
This young and developing team was awarded the Championship Trophy and medals at the ground by KZN officials.
Umzinto has had ambitions to break into the Premier League for the last 20 years, which makes this achievement even sweeter.
The team comprised Aarav Govender, Kaylin Naidoo, Faheem Hoosen, Nkosinathi Muthwa, Shivaar Sivpersad, Paroshin Gramoney, Gavin Reddy, Justin Gopaul, Lashay Govender, Jordan Gopaul, Sahl Peerbhay and Vishay Singh.
ANDRE PRETORIUS
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