Monday, March 22, 2010

Tryon, Chetty off to T20 World Cup

Chloe Tryon and Trisha Chetty have been selected for the SA Women’s team to play in the T20 World Cup in the West Indies.

Wicket-keeper Chetty, who previously played for South Africa has scored 380 runs in the round robin stages of the CSA Women’s League with a highest score of 114 and an average of 47.50. She also contributed a valuable 36 in the semi-final demolition of Gauteng.

Sixteen year old Tryon has been the find of the season. The left arm seamer has completed her first full season for the KZN Women. In her eight league appearances, she took 20 wickets with a best of four for 12 against North West. She also bagged three for 23 in the semi-final.

After taking up the game as a three year old, she caps her outstanding season by being selected for South Africa for the first time.

“It’s amazing. I’ve never experienced this before. I’ve worked very hard to get here. In my first season, I have taken 20 wickets for KZN. My dad Brendan has been my inspiration and he has helped me with everything,” said an ecstatic Tryon.

Tryon hails from Ifafa on the KZN South Coast and represents the Umzinto and Districts Cricket Union.
Kathryn Taljaard

Chloe Tryon selected in the 14-member squad to take part in the ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup

They say credit should be given where credit is due, and that has been the case with the National Women’s selectors and Chloe Tryon. The 16 year-old has been selected in the 14-member squad to take part in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in the Carribean in May, just reward after her stunning form in the CSA Women’s Provincial League this season. KwaZulu-Natal meet Western Province in the Final on Saturday and their success over the past season has been largely due to Tryon’s all-round performance on the field.

“Nobody’s place in the Women’s squad is secure and Chloe has pushed some of the experienced campaigners this season. She has been superb for KwaZulu Natal and she can definitely play an important role in Women’s cricket in the future. We have kept it consistent with 12 of the 14 players having taken part in the last home series against the West Indies but have included some dynamic performers,” said Senior National Coach, Noor Rhode.

Sixteen may seem a young age to make an entry into International cricket, but contributions and talent come first for the selectors. The determined all-rounder is the leading wicket taker in the competition with 20 scalps at a healthy average of 4.45 and is a powerful hitter of the ball, a skill that will come handy in the 20-over format.

“Bowling is my strong point but i can definitely bat as well. The National Women’s team have had disappointing runs at previous World Cups so hopefully i can help the team bring the trophy home,” said an excited Tryon.

The selectors have also shown their intentions with the inclusion of experienced all-rounder Susan Benade. Benade was dropped for the West Indies home series in October and has worked her way back into the national fold. Cri-Zelda Brits has been reappointed as captain, coming back after a two year absence in charge. Kirsty Thomson and Marizanne Kapp are the unfortunate players to miss out.

Squad :Cri-Zelda Brits (Captain;Gauteng), Susan Benade (Free State), Trisha Chetty (KwaZulu-Natal), Mignon du Preez (Northerns), Shandre Fritz (Western Province), Shabnum Ismail (Western Province), Ashlyn Kilowan (Western Province), Marcia Letsoalo (Northerns), Sunette Loubser (Boland), Alicia Smith (Boland), Angelique Taai (Border), Chloe Tryon (KwaZulu-Natal), Charlize van der Westhuizen (Northerns), Dane van Niekerk (Northerns).

Team Management: Enver Mall (Manager), Noor Rhode (Coach), John Bailey (Assistant Coach), Megan Dutton (Physiotherapist).

Non Travelling Reserves: Marizanne Kapp (Northerns), Kirsty Thomson (Gauteng), Dinesha Devnarain (KwaZulu-Natal), Masabata Klaas (Free State).

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

UMZINTO CRICKETERS PROGRESS TO TOP 8

Cricket South Africa & Standard Bank launched the National High Schools U/19 Pro20 tournament this term & the Umzinto & Districts Cricket Union was invited to enter a combined schools team. The squad consists of players from all the schools in the region.

In KZN 32 schools/districts participated in the first round. They were drawn into 8 groups of 4 and the winners of each group would be drawn into the last 2 groups of 4. The winners of these last 2 groups would play a final at Kingsmead to determine the winner of the Coastal stream who would play the winners of the Inland stream to crown the Provincial team. The Provincial team would then go on to participate in the National tournament in Pretoria where 1 team from each Province would be represented.

In the first round Umzinto was drawn into Group A together with Suid Natal Hoer, Amanzimtoti High & Southern Natal Cricket Union. Umzinto had to play all their matches away in the first round.

In the first match against Suid Natal, Umzinto fielded first & bowled out the opposition for 67 runs in 15 overs. Faraaz Khan took 3 for 12 in 3 overs while Captain Kereshan Kisten took 2 for 9 in 2 overs. Umzinto opening pair of Prineshan Pillay (38) & Jeerashen Mudaly (35) made it look easy to pass the score in just 13 overs.

In the second match against Southern Natal, Umzinto were put under pressure immediately when the opposition belted the ball all over the field. However the boys stuck to the task & S/Natal ended on 152/5 in 20 overs with Paroshan Gramoney taking 2/13 in 2 overs & Ameen Ismail 1/15 in 2 overs. Requiring 7,6 runs an over Prineshan & Jeerashen took the bowlers on. After 4 overs Umzinto were 35/1 (8,7 runs an over) when rain stopped play. Prineshan was on 21* & Kereshan 5*.

In the final group match against ‘Toti, Wesley Poole took 2/18 in his 4 overs & Reenan Chetty 1/9 in 3 to restrict the opposition to 96/6 in 20 overs. Once again Prineshan with 41 & Jeerashen with 34 set about chasing the total. The other batsmen struggled to keep the momentum due to some good bowling from ‘Toti. However Wesley & Faraaz saw the team through to a win in the second last over.

Umzinto thus ended top of group A & progressed into the final top 8 schools. In this group they are drawn with Grantleigh (Richards Bay), Glenwood & Clifton, all of them top cricketing schools.

In the first match Grantleigh was sent in to bat & were stunned by Umzinto’s tight bowling & fielding. They only hit 2 boundaries & 4 of their batsmen were run out as they were under constant pressure. Wesley, Kereshan & Ameen all bowled well to restrict them to 86/9 in their 20 overs.

While batting Jeerashen (17) & Prineshan (15) set the platform for the other batsmen to come to the party. A sensible 14* by Ashaylin Govender & an aggressive 21* by Wesley saw the team to victory in the 18th over.

Coach Andre Pretorius & Manager Strini Pillay are extremely pleased with the hard work, dedication & team spirit put in by all the players. For such a young team (half of which still play under 15 cricket), to do so well in the U/19 division against top cricketers is a feather in the Districts cap. The boys are determined to give their 110% every single match to get as far as they can. The management is thankful to the parents who come to support the team every match, those in Umzinto who have praised & encouraged the team and to the schools for releasing the players early on match days. With everyone’s support this team will not let Umzinto down, no matter what the circumstances.
Andre Pretorius