Recently selected South African Under 19 captain Matthew Montgomery is set to make his first class debut when Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal clash with Western Province in the CSA Provincial 3-Day Challenge at the Chatsworth Oval on Thursday.
Montgomery’s call up comes after his heroics with the bat in the 2019 edition of the CSA Franchise Cubs Week held in Stellenbosch recently.
Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal Coach, Roger Telemachus said they always knew that he was a quality cricketer, following his domination in schools cricket.
“Matthew deserved the call up after his recent performances in the Cubs Week and also in the Coke Week,” Telemachus said. “All the best to him and I’m sure he will have a wonderful game because he is a quality cricketer.”
Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal will be looking to get their first win of 2019 against Western Province. In the last five meetings between the two sides Western Province have had the upper hand three times over the KZN outfit.
However, the Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal side will be in high spirits following a stellar performance in their last appearance in the competition against Border in Kingsmead.
Western Province is currently rooted at the bottom of Pool B after a shattering 147 run loss to the South Western Districts.
“I don’t think it will be a walk in the park, it will be a very competitive game and as a unit, we have spoken about turning the corner and how we’re going to tackle the next five matches,” Telemachus said.
The Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal bowling unit will be bolstered by the return of fast bowler Calvin Savage who is four wickets shy of 150 First-class wickets.
Savage is also handy with the bat, with 10 First-class Fifties and one century to his name.
KZN Coastal will be without the services of the run machine Marques Ackerman who is currently involved in the 4-Day Franchise Series for the Hollywoodbets Dolphins.
“I’m happy for Marques. Our goal at KZN Cricket is to move players to the next level,” Telemachus said.
Ackerman recorded his highest score in First-Class cricket with a majestic 137 in the Hollywoodbets Dolphins first innings against the VKB Knights in Pietermaritzburg.
Blayde Capell will be one of the batsmen to look out for; the middle order batsman currently boasts an average of 40.3 after five matches in the CSA Provincial 3-Day Challenge.
Another young player, left-arm spinner Yves Kamanzi will be in line for his first class debut.
Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal 3-Day Squad
Mishkal Ramsaroop, Mike Erlank, Jason Oakes, Matthew Montgomery (debut), Khalipha Cele (c), Blayde Capell (wkt), Calvin Savage, Tyron Koen, Okuhle Cele, Daryn Dupavillon, Yves Kamanzi (debut), Zakariya Paruk, Brad Porteous, Ziphozokuthula Zondo, Thula Ngcobo.
More information can be found at www.dolphinscricket.co.za.
