Saturday, November 21, 2009
KZNCU CAPPING CEREMONY
Ameen Ismail, Jeerashen Mudaly and Preneshan Pillay were selected into the KwaZulu Natal Rural U/17 team and will represent the province in the South African U/17 Rural Week. Well done and congratulations to them.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Calvin gets Umzinto off to a winning start
Poor Phoenix swept away
A remarkable innings of 136 by Calvin Govender proved to be the catalyst when Umzinto crushed Phoenix by 210 runs in a KwaZulu Natal Cricket Union Challenge League match played at the Rainham grounds in Phoenix.
Chasing a mammoth 302 for victory, the home team were bowled out for a paltry 91. Calvin put on a batting masterclass, joining his brother and captain Craig, with Umzinto tottering on 15 for the loss of Suhail Khan (7) and Yasir Ameen (1).
The Govender brothers stabilised the innings and when Craig was dismissed for a well crafted 33, Calvin was already looking like coming good.
Calvin, who turned down a cricket scholarship at Rhodes University in 1995 (he would have had Kepler Wessels as his coach) showed remarkable maturity as he pummelled the hapless Phoenix attack to all parts of the ground.
Thavasen Shunmugam (15) and wicketkeeper Thayuran Govender (14) gave Calvin steady support as he reached his century.
Darryl Govender, after a strenuous workout the day before, clobbered a typical quick fire 28 as the home team wilted in the heat.
“It was an amazing display of batting from Calvin,” said manager Ivan Govender. Overall, our guys were highly motivated to win,” he said.
Craig showed his class with his off spinners tying down the Phoenix batsmen. Together with spin twin Fahiem Sheik, they conceded just 37 runs in 16 overs and captured 3 wickets.
Fahiem Hoosen, Umzinto’s opening bowler, gave the home batsmen a torrid 8 overs and set the collapse in motion. Umzinto’s bowlers stuck to the basics and each one was rewarded.
Community Focus
A remarkable innings of 136 by Calvin Govender proved to be the catalyst when Umzinto crushed Phoenix by 210 runs in a KwaZulu Natal Cricket Union Challenge League match played at the Rainham grounds in Phoenix.
Chasing a mammoth 302 for victory, the home team were bowled out for a paltry 91. Calvin put on a batting masterclass, joining his brother and captain Craig, with Umzinto tottering on 15 for the loss of Suhail Khan (7) and Yasir Ameen (1).
The Govender brothers stabilised the innings and when Craig was dismissed for a well crafted 33, Calvin was already looking like coming good.
Calvin, who turned down a cricket scholarship at Rhodes University in 1995 (he would have had Kepler Wessels as his coach) showed remarkable maturity as he pummelled the hapless Phoenix attack to all parts of the ground.
Thavasen Shunmugam (15) and wicketkeeper Thayuran Govender (14) gave Calvin steady support as he reached his century.
Darryl Govender, after a strenuous workout the day before, clobbered a typical quick fire 28 as the home team wilted in the heat.
“It was an amazing display of batting from Calvin,” said manager Ivan Govender. Overall, our guys were highly motivated to win,” he said.
Craig showed his class with his off spinners tying down the Phoenix batsmen. Together with spin twin Fahiem Sheik, they conceded just 37 runs in 16 overs and captured 3 wickets.
Fahiem Hoosen, Umzinto’s opening bowler, gave the home batsmen a torrid 8 overs and set the collapse in motion. Umzinto’s bowlers stuck to the basics and each one was rewarded.
Community Focus
Chatsworth no match for Umzinto
Umzinto travelled to the Penguin Fields in Chatsworth to take on one of the largest Indian suburbs in South Africa in a DDCU Under 15 fixture.
Preean Shanmugam (5-2-10-4) and Sashlin Govender (4.1-0-24-4) ripped through the hosts’ batting order to restrict them to 99 all out.
The Umzinto youngsters had no difficulty in reaching the target of 100 in the 13th over with Aubrey Sosibo (14), Preean (30), Sashlin (8*) and Sheldon Govender (10*) batting well.
Community Focus
Preean Shanmugam (5-2-10-4) and Sashlin Govender (4.1-0-24-4) ripped through the hosts’ batting order to restrict them to 99 all out.
The Umzinto youngsters had no difficulty in reaching the target of 100 in the 13th over with Aubrey Sosibo (14), Preean (30), Sashlin (8*) and Sheldon Govender (10*) batting well.
Community Focus
Joubert and Sivparsad do the job for Umzinto
Captain Andrew Joubert put in a solid all-round display to guide his team to a comprehensive 10 wicket victory over Kwandengesi in a DDCU Under 13 match played at Fynnlands Primary School in Pinetown.
Batting first Kwandengesi could only muster 70 runs in 19 overs, losing all their wickets to fine bowling and fielding by the UDCU lads.
Leading by example, Andrew claimed 2 wickets in a four over spell. K Sivparsad claimed 1 wicket for 4 runs while Gavin Reddy took 2 for 14in 6 overs. The other wicket takers were Brandon Berowski (1/5) and S Behari (1/3).The Umzinto and districts boys cruised to victory in the 11th over with Sivparsad and Joubert undefeated on 29 and 30 respectively.
Community Focus
Batting first Kwandengesi could only muster 70 runs in 19 overs, losing all their wickets to fine bowling and fielding by the UDCU lads.
Leading by example, Andrew claimed 2 wickets in a four over spell. K Sivparsad claimed 1 wicket for 4 runs while Gavin Reddy took 2 for 14in 6 overs. The other wicket takers were Brandon Berowski (1/5) and S Behari (1/3).The Umzinto and districts boys cruised to victory in the 11th over with Sivparsad and Joubert undefeated on 29 and 30 respectively.
Community Focus
KZNCU embarks on new initiative
Jesse Chellan, the new CEO of the KwaZulu Natal Cricket Union is embarking on a new initiative called “Exceptional Schoolboy Performances”. The main objective of the ESP is to recognize outstanding schoolboy performances in High Schools throughout the province.
“I believe that our players are our most valuable assets and that we, at the Union, are here to create an environment that should encourage mass participation and high performance excellence. Schoolboy cricket is hence a vital and integral part of our cricketing system. I intend to get out and meet as many of the masters, Teachers, coaches and players in both our traditional cricketing structures and the new developmental structures that have been put in place over the last few years,” said Chellan.
One of Chellan’s main objectives is to get the communication lines going among the various role players.
“I would like to establish a communication platform by email between the coaches, the school, the schoolboy players and myself. I want to know what is happening at school level, and in particular, to be aware of the performances of the schools and the schoolboy players at the high performance end of the playing spectrum,” he said.
The new CEO, who has already visited all the sub unions to get first hand knowledge of their operations said he wanted to identify the consistent and quality performers in schools cricket.
“I would appreciate each coach, teacher or Master in Charge of Cricket to send me an email on the Monday or Tuesday following a weekend’s round of fixtures advising of the ‘match-winning’ or exceptional performances, eg. batsman scoring a 100 or a bowler claiming 4 or more wickets. I would like this information for the first team as well as the A team of every age group.
This should also include any girl’s teams in the system. I want to improve our relationship with the schools,” he added.In return ‘Exceptional Schoolboy Performance’ certificates will be issued to outstanding performers and where possible, tickets to Dolphin games as well.
Community Focus
“I believe that our players are our most valuable assets and that we, at the Union, are here to create an environment that should encourage mass participation and high performance excellence. Schoolboy cricket is hence a vital and integral part of our cricketing system. I intend to get out and meet as many of the masters, Teachers, coaches and players in both our traditional cricketing structures and the new developmental structures that have been put in place over the last few years,” said Chellan.
One of Chellan’s main objectives is to get the communication lines going among the various role players.
“I would like to establish a communication platform by email between the coaches, the school, the schoolboy players and myself. I want to know what is happening at school level, and in particular, to be aware of the performances of the schools and the schoolboy players at the high performance end of the playing spectrum,” he said.
The new CEO, who has already visited all the sub unions to get first hand knowledge of their operations said he wanted to identify the consistent and quality performers in schools cricket.
“I would appreciate each coach, teacher or Master in Charge of Cricket to send me an email on the Monday or Tuesday following a weekend’s round of fixtures advising of the ‘match-winning’ or exceptional performances, eg. batsman scoring a 100 or a bowler claiming 4 or more wickets. I would like this information for the first team as well as the A team of every age group.
This should also include any girl’s teams in the system. I want to improve our relationship with the schools,” he added.In return ‘Exceptional Schoolboy Performance’ certificates will be issued to outstanding performers and where possible, tickets to Dolphin games as well.
Community Focus
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Patel duo steer Crescents to victory
Crescents Cricket Club, league champions of UDCU in season 2001/2002 made a welcome return to the local cricket scene with a narrow one wicket win over last season’s wooden spoonists, Maverick CC of Umkomaas.
Bowling first, Crescents restricted Maverick to a modest 114 for the loss of eight wickets. Sameer top scored for the Umkomaas visitors with a patient 38 (3x4) while Rajesh (15) and Shane (14) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures. The rusty Crescents’ bowlers gave some respectability to the Maverick score by bowling 18 wides. Shaheen Belim and Asheer Ramkalawan, the two oldies in the team claimed two wickets apiece.
A solid second wicket partnership between cousins Yusuf and the young Naeem Patel and equally good contributions by Shaheen (10) and Yusuf ‘Yalla’ Ally (10) saw Crescents scrape home with 9 balls to spare.
Rajesh claimed 2 wickets for 14 runs while Ziyaad bowled economically, conceding 14 runs in 6 overs and in the process castling Yalla.
Community Focus
Bowling first, Crescents restricted Maverick to a modest 114 for the loss of eight wickets. Sameer top scored for the Umkomaas visitors with a patient 38 (3x4) while Rajesh (15) and Shane (14) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures. The rusty Crescents’ bowlers gave some respectability to the Maverick score by bowling 18 wides. Shaheen Belim and Asheer Ramkalawan, the two oldies in the team claimed two wickets apiece.
A solid second wicket partnership between cousins Yusuf and the young Naeem Patel and equally good contributions by Shaheen (10) and Yusuf ‘Yalla’ Ally (10) saw Crescents scrape home with 9 balls to spare.
Rajesh claimed 2 wickets for 14 runs while Ziyaad bowled economically, conceding 14 runs in 6 overs and in the process castling Yalla.
Community Focus
PG CC Scottburgh crash
PG CC Scottburgh felt the heat of the UDCU Premier League in their first encounter in the top flight when they were crushed by 76 runs by a revamped Correctional Services. Services, strengthened by the return of prolific batsman Ralton Baijnathand wicketkeeper Thayurin Govender won the toss and decided to bat first.
A half century opening partnership between Thavashen Shunmugam (40) and Devashen Kisten (31) laid the foundation for their big score. Ralton chipped in with well played 27 as they reached 151 for 9 wickets in their 30 overs.
PG CC were skittled for a paltry 75 runs with the destroyer in chief being leggie Fahiem Shaik who claimed 4 for 24 in 6 overs. Ralton showed his value to the services course by snapping 2 wickets for 12 runs with his gentle off spinners. The rejuvenated Services were excellent in the field with Adam Govender and Devashen each effecting brilliant run outs.
PG CC go back to the drawing board and need to improve their all round play if they hope to compete in the tougher Premier League.
Community Focus
A half century opening partnership between Thavashen Shunmugam (40) and Devashen Kisten (31) laid the foundation for their big score. Ralton chipped in with well played 27 as they reached 151 for 9 wickets in their 30 overs.
PG CC were skittled for a paltry 75 runs with the destroyer in chief being leggie Fahiem Shaik who claimed 4 for 24 in 6 overs. Ralton showed his value to the services course by snapping 2 wickets for 12 runs with his gentle off spinners. The rejuvenated Services were excellent in the field with Adam Govender and Devashen each effecting brilliant run outs.
PG CC go back to the drawing board and need to improve their all round play if they hope to compete in the tougher Premier League.
Community Focus
Park Rynie too good for Old Boys
Park Rynie, runners-up in the UDCU Challenge League last season began their quest for championship honours with a well-deserved victory over Old Boys at home of Umzinto cricket last weekend.
Without many of their senior players and inspirational captain Clinton Moodley who recently returned from India, the beach boys were still too strong for Old Boys.
Park Rynie batted first and were restricted to 128 for 9. Dheena Govender was the pick of the Old Boys’ bowlers, taking out 3 batsmen for 18 runs. Roland Rampear claimed 2 wickets for 15 runs in six overs while newcomer, Nash Govender also claimed 2 wickets for one more run.
Old Boys battled in their run chase. Roland (25), Ashen Rambali (17) and Nash (14) were the only batsmen to offer resistance to a fired up Park Rynie. Old Boys were eventually dismissed for 102.
Community Focus
Without many of their senior players and inspirational captain Clinton Moodley who recently returned from India, the beach boys were still too strong for Old Boys.
Park Rynie batted first and were restricted to 128 for 9. Dheena Govender was the pick of the Old Boys’ bowlers, taking out 3 batsmen for 18 runs. Roland Rampear claimed 2 wickets for 15 runs in six overs while newcomer, Nash Govender also claimed 2 wickets for one more run.
Old Boys battled in their run chase. Roland (25), Ashen Rambali (17) and Nash (14) were the only batsmen to offer resistance to a fired up Park Rynie. Old Boys were eventually dismissed for 102.
Community Focus
Friday, October 2, 2009
LAWS OF THE GAME WORKSHOP
Hosted a successful workshop on the laws of the game on Saturday, 26th September 2009. Thanks to Kevin Adams and to the facilitator Sagren Naidoo for an excellent programme. The twenty-five participants benefited tremendously from the workshop and have indicated that they will welcome more sessions of this nature.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
OLD BOYS CRICKET CLUB - AWARDS FUNCTION
Chairperson of the Old Boys Cricket club, Mr Steyn Moonsamy, thanked the Umzinto & Districts Cricket Union for affording them the support, encouragement and guidance in their first season. Mr Moonsamy said that in the new year they are looking at promoting the game in black African neighbouring schools under the umbrella of the union. The Guest Speaker at the awards function was Mr Ravi Padayachee, who was also honoured for his overall contribution to Cricket in Umzinto.Bowler of the year : Avinash Rampear
Prospect of the year: Civesh Thaven
Batsman of the year: Andrew Govender
Player of the season, Rollan Rampear.
Prospect of the year: Civesh Thaven
Batsman of the year: Andrew Govender
Player of the season, Rollan Rampear.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Albaraka Bank Sponsorship 2009
Albaraka Bank has renewed its sponsorship of the Umzinto & Districts Cricket Union U/13 Primary Schools League. On Saturday, 18th April 2009 the union hosted representatives of the bank at an official handing over ceremony at the ICC Grounds in Umzinto. Approximately 300 learners, parents and educators were present to celebrate this all important event. The executive and council of the Umzinto & Districts Cricket Union is greatful to Albaraka Bank for their sponsorship, the amount being R30 000.00 The Manager of Albaraka Bank, Corporate Branch in Musgrave, Mr. Ismail Yusuf was full of praise for the union and its achievements. He said that the Bank was committed to the partnership with the UDCU and that it is a privilege for them to be working in an area where the community is striving to achieve greater heights regardless the lack of facilities.
BAKERS MINI CRICKET
Bakers Mini Cricket is the core of our development programme: A few years ago at a meeting of primary schools it was resolved that we move away from the previous format of “Bakers Mini Cricket Centres” to a schools based programme, as it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the numbers and the continuity of the centres. Schools pledged their full support to the programme and agreed to make educators available to coach learners and administer an inter-house league.
Whilst we were able to increase the numbers playing Bakers Mini Cricket we found that the standards dropped as some schools did not honour their initial commitment to make this programme work for us.
As a result, to save the programme we were forced to re-introduce our Bakers Mini Cricket Centres in order to address the deteriorating standards. We currently have three Bakers Mini Cricket Centres within our sub-union. They are Umkomaas, Park Rynie, and Umzinto. Regular matches are played between these centers.
Whilst we were able to increase the numbers playing Bakers Mini Cricket we found that the standards dropped as some schools did not honour their initial commitment to make this programme work for us.
As a result, to save the programme we were forced to re-introduce our Bakers Mini Cricket Centres in order to address the deteriorating standards. We currently have three Bakers Mini Cricket Centres within our sub-union. They are Umkomaas, Park Rynie, and Umzinto. Regular matches are played between these centers.
We hosted our Annual Bakers Mini Cricket Festival on Saturday, 23rd May 2009. The festival was a great success with approximately 180 girls and boys from Umkomaas, Park Rynie, Sezela, Pennington, Umzinto, Braemar and Mtwalume attending the festival. The festival assists us in recruiting youngsters to our Bakers Mini Cricket Centres in Umkomaas, Park Rynie and Umzinto. The Bakers programme is run at our centres on Saturday mornings throughout the year.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Report to KZNCU Council – 08 October 2009
The following structures have been put into place within our sub-union: senior cricket, high schools and primary schools, coaches forum, women’s cricket, development committee and umpires. I believe that the past season was for us the most successful since the launch of the union. This is both in terms of administration as well as our performance on the field ie. in the KwaZulu Natal Women’s and Promotion Leagues, including the individual performances of our players within these leagues and the selection of our players into the KZN Provincial teams. We also had for the first time a South African U/19 cap. Thanks to our many volunteers who sacrifice their time and work tirelessly in making our activities a success.
Annual Awards Function
Our 13th Annual Awards Function held on Saturday, 25th July 2009 at the Umzinto Community Hall was a tremendous success. On behalf of the executive and council of Umzinto & Districts Cricket Union, I would like to place on record our sincere thanks and appreciation to officials from KZNCU Mr. A.K. Khan, Mr. Ernest Molotsi, Dr. Sajeel Maharaj and Mr. Faeez Jaffer for gracing our function with their presence. Thanks to Jay Naidoo for negotiating with Dolphin Player Yusuf Abdullah to attend the Awards Function. Sincere thanks and appreciation to Yusuf for the sacrifices he made to be with us. His presence at the function was not only used to market the Dolphins in the south coast but also to provide encouragement and motivation to the many young cricketers hoping to one day follow in his footsteps.
Annual General Meeting
Our annual general meeting was held on 29th July 2009. A new executive committee of 9 members was elected.
Executive Meetings are held monthly and Council Meetings once every two months.
Bakers Mini Cricket
Bakers Mini Cricket is the core of our development programme: We currently have centres in Umkomaas, Park Rynie and in Umzinto. These centres operate throughout the year including the winter months. Regular matches are played between these centers.
We participated in all Bakers Mini Cricket events organised by Cricket South Africa and KwaZulu Natal Cricket Union. Our Annual Bakers Mini Cricket Festival will be held in May 2010.
We participated in all Bakers Mini Cricket events organised by Cricket South Africa and KwaZulu Natal Cricket Union. Our Annual Bakers Mini Cricket Festival will be held in May 2010.
Primary Schools Cricket
Our primary schools league is played at the beginning of the year. The committee held a meeting last month and commenced with planning for an U/13 and U/11 league. We expect to have fourteen schools affiliated to our Primary Schools structure. Teams will also include girls.
Umzinto participated in all the tournaments hosted by KZN and will also be sending a team to the girls U/13 tournament.
Thanks to Durban & District Cricket Union for allowing our representative U/11, U/13 and U/15 teams to play in their Youth Leagues this season. This definitely helps with the development of our youngsters.
High Schools Cricket
This has thus far been our greatest challenge. A meeting was held with our co-ordinator to look at ways of increasing the number of schools participating in this league. In the past season we had four teams in the U/15 league, three schools and a fourth team made up of players from other non-participating schools. We also had three teams participating in an open division schools league. The High Schools league will commence this month.
We participated in the high schools KZN Trials. Prineshan Pillay was selected into the KZN U/15 invitation team. We also participated in the KZN Rural U/17 trials winning all the matches we played.
Intellectually Impaired
The Schola Amoris School for intellectually impaired learners play in our U/13 Primary Schools League.
Senior Cricket
We currently have ten senior clubs affiliated to UDCU, Correctional Services, Saints, Crescents, Park Rynie, Braemar, Klippies, PG CC Scottburgh, Old Boys, Maverick and Syms. They compete in our domestic two round league, a knockout competition and a T/20 tournament. This season five teams will play in our domestic premier league and six in the challenge league.
The Umzinto senior men’s team won the KwaZulu Natal Promotion League last season and will be playing in the Challenge League this season.
Our U/19 team played in the UGU Municipal Games in preparation for the Kwanaloga Games taking place in December.
Women’s Cricket
We are in the process of recruiting more girls into our local women’s structure thereby re-launching our women’s league. We have a team affiliated to the KwaZulu Natal Cricket Union Women’s league. Our women’s team won the KwaZulu Natal Cricket Union Women’s league last season.
One of our girls Chloe Tryon was selected into the South African U/19 team and also played for KZN over the past season.
Umpires
Of the 11 individuals who wrote the umpires examination five passed and have been standing in our domestic matches. In total we currently have eight certified umpires.
We hosted a successful workshop on the laws of the game on Saturday, 26th September 2009. Thanks to Kevin Adams and to the facilitator Sagren Naidoo for an excellent programme. The twenty-five participants benefited tremendously from the workshop and have indicated that they will welcome more sessions of this nature.
Challenges
Facilities
With us not having a municipal facility in Umzinto we are forced to hire the ICC ground to play our cricket at a cost of R3 500.00 per month during season and R2 000.00 per month off-season. This amount excludes the preparation of the pitch and maintaining of the field ie. mowing of the grass and the general upkeep of the ground. I must admit that this is putting a strain on our finances and is making it very costly for us to continue providing cricket.
Co-ordinator
With us not having a municipal facility in Umzinto we are forced to hire the ICC ground to play our cricket at a cost of R3 500.00 per month during season and R2 000.00 per month off-season. This amount excludes the preparation of the pitch and maintaining of the field ie. mowing of the grass and the general upkeep of the ground. I must admit that this is putting a strain on our finances and is making it very costly for us to continue providing cricket.
Co-ordinator
Volunteers do all the coaching, cricketing programmes, activities and administration. We do not have a co-ordinator, which makes our attempts to reach out to the rural schools and the coaching and administration so much more difficult. When programmes and activities are organized during the week, then our volunteers are forced to take leave of work to manage such activities. Hopefully this will be addressed by KZNCU soon.
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