Southern KZN Veterans on fire at cricket friendly in Port Shepstone
The match was played in great spirit, with all the usual banter flying around.
Southern KZN Veterans enjoyed a pre-league friendly against Payrite at the Port Shepstone borough grounds on August 23.
The Veterans (minimum age 40 years old) have formed a team this year with the purpose of playing in the KZN Veterans league, which starts on September 26.
Matches will be played on Saturdays.
It has taken a little while to get things up and running, but now momentum seems to be picking up with some promising squad depth evident.
Against Payrite, the Veterans batted first and made 205-7 in the allotted 25 overs.
Azhar Suleman found the sweet spot of his bat again and struck 88 runs off 64 balls.
He was assisted by Ayoob Ebrahim, with a patient 15 off 25, and Wilko Kunz with 28 off 31.
Big Ben Malamba, aged 60+, came rumbling out of retirement for an entertaining 5 not out at the end.
He admitted, much to everyone’s amusement, that turning easy twos into hard-earned singles was a crucial skill in playing for the Veterans.
Faizal Darsot (2-21), Zaid Matadar (3-39) and Mohsin (2-23) were the pick of the bowlers for Payrite.
In response, Payrite had no answer for what Saeed Patel and Ashraf Mulla sent down, being bowled out for 93 in 12.5 overs.
Reuben Kunz, filling in, looked good at the top of the innings before being dismissed for 15.
The only others to get into double figures were Zaiyuddin with 10 (7) and Faizal with 16 (12).
Ashraf’s left-arm spin was too much for them, and he ended with figures of 5-17 in three overs.
Saaed Patel did the damage upfront, with 3-20 to send the top order packing.
Rollan Rampear, better known for his batting skills, wrapped things up with the final wicket to compensate for his rather short stay at the crease.
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