Following an extended period in limbo as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Cricket South Africa has finalised the provincial schedule with both Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal and Hollywoodbets KZN Inland begin their respective seasons on Monday.
Cricket South Africa has split all of the semi-professional sides into four groups that will play in various bio-secure environments around the country. They will play two three day matches and three 50 over matches during a twelve day period from 22 February to 6 March.
The Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal side has been sent to the Western Cape for their BSE where they will play against the hosts Boland, Border and South Western Districts.
They begin their season with a three day match against SWD before they play 50 over matches against Boland, Border and finally SWD before another three day match against Border.
“The guys are just so keen to get going and play some cricket!” coach Roger Telemachus said. “We started training in September and kept on being tripped up ecause of Covid-19 but the guys kept their heads down and worked hard.
“Even though we aren’t playing in any official tournaments the guys know that there is a lot to play for given what’s happening at the end of the season.”
From a Hollywoodbets KZN Inland perspective they begin their BSE in Bloemfontein with a three day match against Limpopo. They then face hosts Free State in a 50 over match before they take on Easterns and then Limpopo in two other white ball fixtures.
Their BSE finishes with a three-day match against Easterns at the Mangaung Oval finishing on 6 March.
Inland coach Yusuf Abdulla sees this twelve days of cricket as a great opportunity for his players to showcase their skills given change in the domestic structure next season.
“The guys are looking at this opportunity as a stepping stone in their careers,” Abdulla said. “There is a lot of excitement amongst the group and should guys play well it puts them in a great situation going into next season and the new structure.
“I don’t know if I’ve seen a better team environment then I’ve experienced this season. The guys are really excited to be playing cricket again.”
Hollywoodbets KZN Inland Squad:
Tyron Koen, Kurtlyn Mannikam, Waseem Rahman, Luke Schlemmer, Thula Ngcobo, Ruan Cronje, Cameron Shekleton, Mondli Khumalo, Josh Manley, Nduduzo Mfoza, Andile Mogakane, Gareth Dukes, Kushen Kishun, Sohail Mahmoud, Lifa Ntanzi.
Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal Squad:
Thamsanqa Khumalo, Brad Porteous, Mike Erlank, Marques Ackerman, Jason Oakes, Blyde Capell, Keith Dudgeon, Matthew Pollard, Smanga Nhlebela, Zakariya Paruk, Hlompo Modimokoane, Daelen Fynn, Nhlakanipho Mpungose, Theesan Naicker, Wonder Mtolo, Jessie Smit, Cade Carmichael, Chad Laycock, Ronan Vardaya.
