Quins cricketers lose pre-season friendly to Kensea

UMBILO Harlequins Cricket Club's pre-season fixtures commenced on Sunday, 7 September, with a composite team comprising first, fourth and fifth team players against opposition which was essentially Newlands East Kensea’s second side.

This is a highly competent opposition which won the challenge reserve league last season and was also successful in the winter league under the banner of Isipingo Eagles, reaching the semi-finals of that competition.

The team’s success can be attributed to competent management by Zahid Akthar, a cohesive unit and above all a genuine lust and desire to compete all year round to the best of their ability.

Newlands East / Kensea elected to bat first on slow wicket with a degree of softness due to some subsurface water, a reasonably manicured but large outfield and light to moderate easterly winds, which was a catalyst for lateral ball movement in the air.

Newly acquired medium-paced bowler Abdur Razzak captured two wickets with his accurately directed deliveries, achieving some late movement to right handed batsmen, finding an outside edge of an opposition left hander, holding out behind by keeper Ryan Baronet. Ryan also executed a good off side stumping, having had a good performance on the day. Theo van Heerden proved miserly, having virtually no runs conceded off his limited session of slow-medium paced away swingers. Ernest Kettle captured the prized wicket of top scorer Waqar Ali (67), taking three wickets for five runs in two overs. Captain Zahid Akthar scored 30 runs and Wasim Kala secured 32 runs.

Newlands East Kensea was dismissed in 33 overs for a competitive tally of 177 runs. Mention must be made of the two exquisite outfield catches taken by Dylan Labuschagne. One straight drive was well struck by an opposition batsman with a low trajectory, Dylan made the positive decision to dive forward in a potential teeth-fracturing situation to secure a sensational catch at deep long on.

Quins' long time stalwart Jaques Strydom opened the innings of response with a sprightly innings of 13 runs including two well-struck, lofted straight drives for boundaries. Number three batsman Ernest Kettle topscored with a resolute, dogged innings of 32 runs, with three boundaries. Quins however were eventually dismissed for 88 runs in 30 overs, well short of the target. Umar of Newlands East Kensea claimed four wickets for 9 runs in five overs.

Hindsight and retrospect being a perfect science, Quins really did not achieve their objective with this pre-season encounter as only one batsman spent time at the crease, Besides Abdur Rahman, none of Quins bowlers were penetrative, probably due to the predominant seam attack on a slow wicket.

A number of upcoming pre-season matches are scheduled for the next three weeks. The clubs first match will be a challenge league encounter against Hillary Malvern on 28 September on the lighting-fast Peace Park wicket in Malvern. It is likely that all other leagues will commence in October.

The club has entered six senior teams, one U11 side and an U13 team into the league structures of the respective controlling unions.

There will be junior coaching session at Harlequins on Sunday, 14 September from 9am to 11am.

Call Ernest on 031-467-3270 for further club information.