Durban – Four KwaZulu-Natal Blind Cricket team players and two reserves were selected for the Blind Proteas cricket team that will represent South Africa at the World Cup in India.
In collaboration with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Blind Cricket South Africa (BCSA) hosted the T20 National Tournament for the first time, with the aim of selecting the national squad that will travel to India in December for the T20 Blind Cricket World Cup.
UKZN said six to eight matches were played daily at different venues. The nine provincial teams were KwaZulu-Natal, Border Lions, Boland, Free State, Limpopo Novus, Northerns, North West (first-time entrants), Western Province and defending champions Central Gauteng Lions.
Students from UKZN’s Department of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences (BELS) volunteered to act as liaison officers, with each student assigned to a team for the duration of the tournament.
The KZN Blind Cricket team made it to the semi-finals unbeaten but lost to the Northerns by seven wickets. Old rivals Central Gauteng and Northerns Gauteng met in the final which was abandoned because of bad weather. The teams shared the trophy.
The KZN Association for Blind Cricket (KZNABC) congratulated four KZN Blind Cricket team players and two reserves who were selected for the Blind Proteas team that will represent South Africa at the World Cup in India.
“It was an honour and my first time to be part of the T20 Local Organising Committee (LOC),” Bels lecturer Dr Khumbuzile Khumalo said.
“Working with different stakeholders around Durban and being the ground co-ordinator for all matches played at Kingsmead Oval was an incredible experience.”
Khumalo thanked KZNABC for this opportunity and for the certificates of appreciation awarded to herself and the UKZN volunteers.
“Our Bels volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure their teams received all the necessary assistance. The teams were very happy and we were impressed considering that it was the first time the students had communicated with blind cricket players. We have no doubt that their careers as sport scientists are bright,” Khumalo said.
KZNBCA president Ndumiso Nyawose added: “The students played a significant role as team liaisons and we received positive feedback on their involvement. We are truly grateful to UKZN Sports Science (Bels) for their support of blind cricket and disability sports as a whole in the province. We are sure that the relationship will grow from strength to strength.”
Last month, Cricket South Africa said that Blind Cricket South Africa (BCSA) was well into their preparations for the third T20 Cricket World Cup.
BCSA president Isaac Bidla congratulated the two teams (T20 National Tournament joint winners), the individual winners and sent best wishes to the selected players.
“Congratulations to the joint winners, Lions and Titans Cricket, on their achievements during the tournament.
“Cricket in the country is growing as we have full representation from all avenues. This marked the first year where all nine provinces participated in the tournament.
“Congratulations also go out to the individual winners and selected squad members. All the best with your preparation for the upcoming World Cup,” Bidla said.
BCSA national team:
B1 – Johan Schroeder (Lions Cricket), Sphelele Khalala (KwaZulu-Natal), Doctor Malinga (Lions Cricket), Johannes Heyns (Western Province), Mathula Dlamini (KwaZulu-Natal), Cyril Mdhlalose (Lions Cricket), Victor Ntsinde (Lions Cricket), Ivaan Levendaal (Boland).
B2 – Buhle Bhidla (Lions Cricket), Isaac Bidla (Lions Cricket), Anathi Xelelo (KwaZulu-Natal), Reme Kampher (Boland), Fredrik Boer (Boland), Thomas Maduna (KwaZulu-Natal).
B3 – Darren Ehlers (Western Province), Siyavuya Mahlikihla (Lions Cricket), Lwande Bhidla (Lions Cricket), David Landry (Free State), Teboho Moloisane (KwaZulu-Natal), Max Geerthsen (Titans Cricket), Simphiwe Khoza (Titans Cricket), Jevon Marks (Boland), Sabelo Dhlomo (KwaZulu-Natal).
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