South African Domestic Season 2016/17

[SeamUp]

Looks like the Titans used the following players yesterday

Aiden Markram
Henry Davids
Jonathan Vandiar
Tony de Zorzi
Rivaldo Moonsamy
Grant Thomson
Thomas Kaber
Albie Morkel
Eldred Hawken
Junior Dala
Alfred Mothoa
Gregory Mahlokoane

Ali posts century in good workout
Leicestershire Foxes started the pre-season tour to South Africa with an excellent workout against Multiply Titans.

The Titans put a score of 317-8 on the board with Gavin Griffiths (3-44) and Callum Parkinson (2-34) sharing five wickets at SuperSport Park.

Aadil Ali, who opened the batting, made a fine century before retiring as the Foxes replied with 236.

Ten bowlers bowled at least four overs apiece and the majority of the team’s batsmen had time at the crease on a hot day, so Leicestershire took plenty out of the fixture.

Leicestershire Foxes won the toss and Tour Captain Ned Eckersley elected to bowl. The bowlers and fielders worked hard as temperatures exceeded 30 degrees celsius at various points.

All 14 players on the tour were part of the action with Richard Jones, Dieter Klein and Charlie Shreck designated as the three non-batsmen.

Openers Aiden Markram and Henry Davids put on 36 for the first wicket before Zak Chappell made the initial breakthrough. The seamer extracted some bounce to take the edge of Markram with ‘keeper Eckersley completing the dismissal.

The second wicket arrived in Shreck’s first over as Davids (34) chipped to Klein at mid-on. Drinks were taken with the score at 97-2 after 17 overs with five bowlers introduced by that stage.

An innings-high partnership developed as Jonathan Vandiar and Tony de Zorzi rotated the strike and also picked up boundaries as they reached respective half-centuries.

Vandiar was first to 50 off 60 balls with seven fours and a maximum, and de Zorzi followed suit from just 44 deliveries with seven boundaries. The single that recorded de Zorzi’s landmark also took the partnership into three figures.

It took a brilliant catch to end the 119-run alliance as Chappell snapped up no more of a half-chance off the bowling of Parkinson to dismiss Vandiar. The left-hander clubbed one towards the square-leg umpire and Chappell plucked it out of the air one-handed.

Parkinson did a good job at the Hennops River End and took the other key wicket. de Zorzi drove to Tom Wells at mid-off in his next over, meaning the Titans now had two new batsmen in just as they were looking to kick on.

Momentum wasn’t affected too much as Rivaldo Moonsamy struck 43 off just 30 balls (6x4, 1x6) but the lively innings was ended by Burke, who got one through his defences.

Griffiths, who bowled well in two spells, then returned in place of Burke to collect three well-deserved wickets.

Grant Thomson (22) was safely held by Dieter Klein running around from long-on before the seamer bowled Thomas Kaber (4). The Klein-Griffiths partnership then came back into play as the left-armer came in from long-off to take a well-judged tumbling catch as the dangerous Albie Morkel (24) departed.

Eldred Hawken’s useful cameo of 33 not out off 13 balls added impetus for Titans, who added 50 off the last five overs.

Thomson then capitalised by taking two early wickets, Eckersley (17) being caught at the wicket while Paul Horton (3) trapped leg before.

Ali and Chappell played nicely together, mixing sensible strokeplay with good rotation of strike to ensure that Leicestershire had a platform to build on. The duo took their stand to 50 in the 21st over but it came to an end in the 26th as Chappell was short of his ground as he tried to get back to the non-striker’s end.

The batsman posted a well-constructed half-century off 88 balls (4x4) before losing another partner when Lewis Hill drove seamer Alfred Mothoa to mid-off.

Ali continued to play some attractive strokes, particularly through the off-side, as he moved towards a century.
Burke (11) was the fifth wicket to fall as Hawken returned and hit the stumps with the score now at 161-5 at the end of the 37th over.

Ali struck two successive maximums over mid-wicket and had moved to 98 before Dexter pulled Junior Dala to Gregory Mahlokoana - who also bowled a fine allocation of slow left arm spin - at mid-wicket.

The opener moved to his hundred from 128 deliveries, including seven fours and those two aforementioned sixes, before retiring his innings.

It paired Tom Wells (1) and Raine together and the former dragged a Dala delivery back on to off stump. Raine scored 14, including a six, before falling lbw to spinner Kaber. Griffiths (5) was the last wicket to fall, bowled by Hawken, leaving Parkinson on 14 not out.

Leicestershire (in batting order): Eckersley (capt & wk), Ali, Horton, Chappell, Hill, Burke, Dexter, Wells, Parkinson, Raine, Griffiths. Designated non-batsmen: Jones, Klein, Shreck.

Bowling figures: Griffiths 7-0-44-3, Chappell 7-1-36-1, Burke 6-0-44-1, Shreck 4-0-20-1, Ali 2-0-15-0, Raine 6-0-39-0, Jones 4-0-29-0, Parkinson 6-0-34-2, Klein 4-0-24-0, Wells 4-0-31-0.

 

[SeamUp]

Cobras beat the Warriors convincingly last night.

Jason Smith picked up a 4-for. He is no great pace but bowls very clever change-ups and can hit the seam like his dismissal of Colin Ackermann.

Warriors seam bowling attack is the weakest in the competition. All 100%ers but it will hurt them moving forward.


Good news is that Wiaan Mulder returned to cricket v Leicestershire on Tuesday and is back in the Lions squad for the weekend games.

 

[SeamUp]

Dolphins v Lions

Another good Friday night game on tv and this time Frylinck won it with the ball with 3 wickets in the over when the game was on a knife edge.

Top knocks by Zondo & Makhanya on a wicket that was tough to score on but easy to survive.

R. Hendricks started off beautifully but got out in the 40s. Been a frustrating part of his career.

Maharaj, Frylincka and Savage were super impressive with the ball.

Maharaj really is head and shoulders the best spinner in SA right now. Accuracy and pace wise he knows his game and can spin the ball when it needs to be spun. If you take Harmer and Piedt, they both spin the ball quite a bit but are probably easier to line-up. Maharaj gets batsman struggling to know whether to come back or forward and that is key to any spinner.

Savage if he can stay fit till the end of the season , I reckon he can get on the plane to England with SA 'A'. Was aggressive, skillful and accurate with the ball (brilliant change-up leg/off-cutters and good to see his pace up at the 138kph mark after the injuries. Struck a couple of sixes at the back end of the Dolphins innings as well. Another all-rounder we can add to the mix with Smith/Mulder in franchise squads now.

Frylinck does things in bursts, looks a fat slob in the field, when he is running into to bowl and can't run in-between the wickets with his batting. But when he strikes a cricket ball it will go for 6 and has about 4 different slower balls all difficult to line-up.


Cobras v Titans

Obviously not on tv but with the Cobras bowling attack they were always in danger of conceding that sort of score. Not a massive fan of Paterson but they need him. Jason Smith surely can't open the bowling ? Big show has never been too flash with the white-ball, Moreki is lucky to be playing franchise cricket and Williams has his moments.

Looks like Markram will struggle to get a game for the Titans in the 50-over game which is a joke. He should go on loan. Morne Morkel may be leaving but balance will be difficult to fit him in with Davids, Vandiar and Kuhn in the side already. AB de Villiers will return to play as well.

 

[SeamUp]

Also was good to see 18 year-old Eathan Bosch come on to field for the Dolphins. The 2nd son of Tertius. Looks a tall fella. Be good to see him bowl when his chance comes. Must have something about him if the Dolphins contracted him right out of school.

 

[SeamUp]

Titans thrashed the Lions yesterday. The Titans depth is ridiculous, you could get a 7th franchise with their squad. In came Markram, von Berg and Titans 50-over debut for Eldred Hawken (same school and area as Dale Steyn).

For the Lions , they probably have to keep backing the batting but it might be too late for the competition and it is not like they lack young batsman coming through. If I were them I would try sign Migael Pretorius from Northerns/Titans as when Viljoen is gone they have cover for him.

 

[StephenZA]

Definitely talent for a 7th franchise... but the matches feel very one sided atm, little excitement at this stage.

 

[SeamUp]

Definitely talent for a 7th franchise... but the matches feel very one sided atm, little excitement at this stage.

Bar the Dolphins' games

But really enjoying watching the next group of talent coming though.

 

[longtom]

Dolphins v Lions

Cobras v Titans

Obviously not on tv but with the Cobras bowling attack they were always in danger of conceding that sort of score. Not a massive fan of Paterson but they need him. Jason Smith surely can't open the bowling ? Big show has never been too flash with the white-ball, Moreki is lucky to be playing franchise cricket and Williams has his moments.

Looks like Markram will struggle to get a game for the Titans in the 50-over game which is a joke. He should go on loan. Morne Morkel may be leaving but balance will be difficult to fit him in with Davids, Vandiar and Kuhn in the side already. AB de Villiers will return to play as well.

I was at Newlands and it was painful (for a Cobras supporter). Not only the bowling - the entire team looked decisively unorganised. Being a cricket umpire in the lower leagues it had a distinct feeling of a lower league team out of it's depth. I really hope this will improve with time.

On the other hand, it was fun to see history being made (first 400 score in provincial OD cricket) and see Morkel bowl. He was a class above the rest and had some speed and venom and a very smooth action. Good to see him back.

 

[StephenZA]

I was at Newlands and it was painful (for a Cobras supporter). Not only the bowling - the entire team looked decisively unorganised. Being a cricket umpire in the lower leagues it had a distinct feeling of a lower league team out of it's depth. I really hope this will improve with time.

On the other hand, it was fun to see history being made (first 400 score in provincial OD cricket) and see Morkel bowl. He was a class above the rest and had some speed and venom and a very smooth action. Good to see him back.

That is very good to hear.... was a little worried he was being pushed to soon.

 

[SeamUp]

I was at Newlands and it was painful (for a Cobras supporter). Not only the bowling - the entire team looked decisively unorganised. Being a cricket umpire in the lower leagues it had a distinct feeling of a lower league team out of it's depth. I really hope this will improve with time.

On the other hand, it was fun to see history being made (first 400 score in provincial OD cricket) and see Morkel bowl. He was a class above the rest and had some speed and venom and a very smooth action. Good to see him back.

Thanks Long Tom. That is good news about Morne.

Cobras seemed to show improvement with the close win on Sunday at PMB but I reckon from what I've seen in the opening games they will be lucky to make top 3. Jason Smith missed the game on Sunday , just hope he isn't too badly injured as he is a player I look forward to watching with the bat in the Cobras set-up now. I suppose us as Cobras/WP supporters were spoiled with the batting line-ups we had in the past. Even with the Proteas (Smith, Gibbs, Kirsten, Kallis away we had Puttick, Commins, Trott, Ackerman, Prince, N.Johnson etc) - I suppose we cannot expect such riches again. In the bowling we've been lucky to have the famous duo's of Le Roux/Jefferies & Dawson/Willoughby but I suppose our recent one has been Kleinveldt/Philander.

 

[SeamUp]

Knights V Dolphins tomorrow

Dolphins coach Grant Morgan still bullish

Hollywoodbets Dolphins’ MODC journey still well on track
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins might have suffered their first defeat of the 2017 Momentum One Day Cup on Sunday, however coach Grant Morgan has likened the tournament to a cross-country road trip believing that his chargers are still on track with a month left of the competition.FrylinckCobras

The Durban-based franchise now hit the road after enjoying a two-game home stint, where they will travel to Bloemfontein on Tuesday ahead of their clash with the VKB Knights on Wednesday which is then followed by a trip to the Friendly City to take on the Warriors on Friday.

“There were positives from all aspects of the game on Sunday but there were also a few little negative things,” Morgan commented.

“I think each and every guys knows that they could have contributed a tiny bit to our batting innings but I am not going to blame anyone.

“It is a collective thing and I think if each player could have found an extra run or two then those 22 runs would have made the difference.”

The Dolphins have the acclaim of having the tournament’s most in-form bowler in their ranks with Rob Frlyinck leading the statistics with the ball and following his century, Morné van Wyk sits in fifth on the batting averages with a number of other Dolphins chasing top ten positions.

“We back every player in this side to do a good job and on Sunday Khaya and Morné batted until the 45th over and no team is not going to send in Rob Frylinck in a situation like that and also Calvin (Savage) hit the ball out the ground against the Lions.

“It’s not a case of us not backing Sibz Makhanya, especially after his terrific knock on Friday, to come in at six so we try to make the right decisions for the right reasons.

“We have tried to create role definitions where certain decisions are made for specific reasons and I think that the guys have bought into that,” Morgan added.

As the tournament moves closer to the halfway stage on Friday, Morgan believes that getting into a position of strength earlier rather than catching up places later on in the competition is paramount for his men.

“Any time you can set something up earlier rather than later is a bonus and I use the analogy of a trip from Cape Town to Johannesburg.

“If I plan my journey I make plans as where I am going to stop and put petrol in and where I am going to eat.

“So hopefully all the puzzle pieces fall into place and by the time you are nearing your destination you hope to be in a position where you can just cruise in and not leave too much to do at the end,” he commented.

The squad will remain unchanged for the two upcoming fixtures with Senuran Muthusamy coming into the side following the departure of Keshav Maharaj to New Zealand with the Proteas Test squad.

HOLLYWOODBETS DOLPHINS SQUAD:
Cody Chetty, Rabian Engelbrecht, Sarel Erwee, Rob Frylinck, Sibonelo Makhanya, Senuran Muthusamy, Kyle Nipper, Calvin Savage, Mthokozisi Shezi, Prenelan Subrayen, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Morné van Wyk, Khaya Zondo (c).

Good to see 19 year-old former SA Schools and SA u19 spinner, Sean Whitehead, in training with the Knights ahead of the game : Gallo Images - Gallo Images - Search for Momentum One-Day Cup: VKB Knights training session Images

 

[SeamUp]

Following on from Kes Old Boy Keaton Jennings debuting for England it looks like Hilton College old boy Tom Curran is set to debut for England : England pick Curran for Windies series - SuperSport - Cricket

Just on that note , I am not sure if this was followed through but it looks like Murray Commins (son of John) is joining the Central Stags Academy in New Zealand : South African all-rounder Murray Commins set to play for Frinton Cricket Club (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

 

[SeamUp]

150 for Leus du Plooy against the full Sri Lankan side when they were here and has got back-to-back 70s for the Knights in the Momentum Cup. Looks a really talented player. Relies on the eye a bit and probably needs to get his front foot moving in the direction of cover when he hits that region instead of straight but he looks a talent. He looks to dominate and stepped up to franchise cricket like a young man ready to go on to bigger and better things. Another one to add to the list of young batsman in the search for the next world star to replace our senior players in a few years time.

 

[SeamUp]

Also of note is the recent up-turn in Beuran Hendricks after moving to the Lions on loan. Hadn't been the same bowler that burst on the scene a few seasons ago and did these sorts of things v India and Australia A

2nd unofficial Test: South Africa A v Australia A at Rustenburg, Jul 31-Aug 2, 2013 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

2nd unofficial Test: South Africa A v India A at Pretoria, Aug 24-27, 2013 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[SeamUp]

Everything about Markram reminds me of Graeme Smith. That inner-confidence from young to be a leader to scoring quickly at the top-order with a savage cut and mid-wicket drives. Even his darted off-spinners I saw him bowl yesterday that Biff was quite good at early in his career. The only difference is probably Markram looks an awesome ground fielder at point or cover while Biff loved the slips or being a boundary rider early in his limited overs career.

 

[SeamUp]

I was reading the other day that Boucher reckons Shaun von Berg can play for SAF. Especially on our test tours to Asia.

With Shamsi returning to SA he may have to miss out in coming weeks.

 

[SeamUp]

Keegan Petersen aka Kp looks a really neat player. Quick on his feet to the spinners beck and forward. Can see he grew up on slow, low spinner friendly wickets in Paarl.

Lots of Kolpak batsmen among top 10 run scorers they just showed on tele.

 

[SeamUp]

Going to take a lot for the Cobras to make the top 3 spots after last night's defeat.

Can't quite put my finger on why they just not clicking. Paterson possibly playing too soon after arrival from NZL and got hit in crucial 3rd last over. Levi gets to 60 and is too tired to keep grafting and gives his wicket away but tbf to him he has been consistent with Vilas.

TEAMS MAT WON LOST TIED N/R PTS NET RR FOR AGAINST
Dolphins 6 4 2 0 0 17 +0.077 1419/276.1 1515/299.2
Titans 5 3 2 0 0 14 +1.115 1543/248.0 1264/247.3
Lions 5 3 2 0 0 13 -0.117 1246/248.5 1276/249.0
Warriors 5 2 3 0 0 10 +0.232 1295/250.0 1237/250.0
Knights 5 2 3 0 0 9 -0.466 1083/247.0 1089/224.3
Cobras 6 2 4 0 0 7 -0.691 1541/299.2 1746/299.0

Possibly may get to see some of the young players doing well in WP team if they can't qualify.

Three players with a combined age of 57, have kept Western Province at the top of the table after nine games in the Sunfoil Three-Day Cup competition as the sensational trio steered the hosts to a five-wicket win against Border at PPC Newlands on Saturday.

On Sunday, Pieter Malan (84) and Zubayr Hamza (51) also guided Western Province to an emphatic eight wicket win against Border in the CSA provincial one-day competition.

But Western Province’s greatest triumph was that five-wicket win. Michael Cohen, an 18-year old former South African U19 player who, at first glance, looks more like a scrumhalf than a left-arm swing bowler, completed a match-haul of 6-49 in his first first-class game and looked like the real deal.

Kyle Verreynne, also a former U19 player, produced a swashbuckling unbeaten 79 off 77 balls and featured in an unbeaten 102-run partnership for the sixth wicket with the 20-year old Dayyaan Galiem to take the hosts to the required 161 for victory.

 

[StephenZA]

I could not believe that Cobras lost that yesterday, when I switched back over. Also I don`t know how Malan is not making the Cobras at all, even taking quotas into account. I hope Hamza continues to do well, rated him. I think he is at university at the moment though? So probably not available all the time.

 

[SeamUp]

I could not believe that Cobras lost that yesterday, when I switched back over. Also I don`t know how Malan is not making the Cobras at all, even taking quotas into account. I hope Hamza continues to do well, rated him. I think he is at university at the moment though? So probably not available all the time.

There is no way Makhanya and Nipper should have did what they did. Think opposition teams are also taking advantage of the slow fielders like Levi & Kleinvedlt and then the absolute potato fingers of Ramela and Mgijima. You can see hear and see Vilas getting pissed off as someone who sets high standards for fitness. It was quite noticeable in the Lions game the other night with the running between the wickets pressurising the Cobras fielders.

Hamza is centrall contracted so even though at UWC is with the Cobras at every practice.

If the Cobras have a few issues with Kolpaks they will have no issue putting in Verreynne who looks a big prospect and carrying the Ginger Flag' SA cricket seems to have lost since Polly, Klusener and Terburgge Verreynne and Galiem been playing together for WP since u11s so it was good to see them get WP over the line as youngsters.

I know what you mean about Malan. He absolutely kills provincial cricket and through the years has got his odd chances with Titans and Cobras but seems to not quite step up so possibly that is against him ? Others like Devon Conway/Shaylen Pillay seem to come to mind at Lions/Gauteng. Because I mean the Cobras played 3 white players last night with Linde 12th man. But not sure why Puttick came in for van Zyl.