Khayelitsha and Nyanga’s u-15 cricket teams battled it out on Saturday. Photo by Siyabonga Kalipa.
4 November 2014
Khayelitsha cricket oval was abuzz this past weekend. Great weather and enthusiastic shouts of “Good bowling”, “Keep it up”, “Bowl him out” and appealing every time there was the vaguest prospect of a wicket contributed to a wonderful atmosphere.
Khayelitsha Cricket Club’s hosted Nyanga Cricket Club in an under 15-years-old game. The game was reduced from 20 overs a side to 15 because Nyanga arrived late. Nyanga won the toss and chose to bat first. They lost their first wicket in the first over but went on to make 73 runs. Khayelitsha’s chase just fell short, losing by three runs.
Sipho Falakhe, a 13-year-old Nyanga bowler said, “Our batting was not strong and the batsmen were scared to face their bowlers. We just need to go back to the basics and know who must bat first and followed by whom.”
Nyanga’s best batsman on the day, Thabang Lewu, 14, said, “Khayelitsha bowled very well today. They have improved. They made me bring out my A game, I just need to work on my back foot because I got out today as a result of that.”
Nyanga team manager Stanley Maqhubela said, “The game was even. Both teams were the same age more or less, but they still need to learn. I’m happy with the way they played.”
The Khayelitsha team was disappointed after losing on their home ground. Thembelihle Matondile, 14, who made his debut was one of Khayelitsha’s top run scorers. He said, “I played very well today but I was nervous since it was my first game. Since I started playing cricket this year I still have a very long way to go and I’m confident I will improve.”
Vuyo Bomvana was Khayelitsha’s best bowler with 2 wickets in 3 overs for 10 runs. He said, “My bowling was pretty good today I just need to stop pitching short. And I must learn to swing the ball. As good as their batsmen were they were running away from my balls because I was bowling at such a fast pace.”