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.
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