The Durban Heat will continue to bring colour to the lives of cricket fans during their outreach programmes across the province of KwaZulu-Natal ahead of the 2018 Mzansi Super League starting on Sunday 18 November.
The Durban-based outfit has been involved in activations across the outlying areas of the city and also visited various primary schools in the province to spread the word of cricket and promote the newly developed Kingsmead-based team.
Durban Heat will be led by the experienced all-rounder Albie Morkel who was unveiled as captain on Monday and his first assignment is a warm-up match under lights at Kingsmead on Wednesday 14 November.
The players will again be involved in a photo and signing session before the match (5:30 pm).
The warm-up match will start at 7pm and entry to the stadium will be free.
KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union Marketing and PR manager Nana Ngubane said it was important that the Durban Heat engages and builds a relationship with the people who will be filling up Kingsmead when Mzansi Super League gets underway.
“Our aim is to get fans to be familiar with the team Durban Heat and for them to see the type of players that are in the squad” Ngubane said. “That is what will make them flock through the gates of Kingsmead to watch their favourite players battle it out.”
The very next day Thursday 15 November the team takes the heat to Pietermaritzburg Oval with an open practice session for the community to come and enjoy.
The practice session will be open to the public and the fans will be spoilt for choice as there will be an autograph signing session soon after the practice at 12:00-12:30 pm.
“Taking the Durban Heat to Pietermaritzburg is part of us growing the brand and engaging with a wider community as some fans might not be able to come to the ground but will still watch it on television,” Ngubane commented.
SABC will broadcast all the Mzansi Super League matches on SABC 3, SABC radio stations and all digital platforms.
Durban Heat will have their skills and preparations tested in their first encounter against Cape Town Blitz on Sunday.
Durban Heat Fixtures:
18 Nov 11:00 Durban Heat v Cape Town Blitz Kingsmead, Durban
21 Nov 14:00 Durban Heat v Tshwane Spartans Kingsmead, Durban
23 Nov 19:00 Nelson Mandela Giants v Durban Heat St George’s, Port Elizabeth
28 Nov 19:00 Durban Heat v Paarl Rocks Kingsmead, Durban
30 Nov 19:00 Jozi Stars v Durban Heat Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
02 Dec 11:00 Paarl Rocks v Durban Heat Eurolux Boland Park, Paarl
05 Dec 19:00 Durban Heat v Nelson Mandela Giants Kingsmead, Durban
07 Dec 14:00 Durban Heat v Jozi Stars Kingsmead, Durban
09 Dec 15:30 Cape Town Blitz v Durban Heat PPC Newlands, Cape Town
12 Dec 19:00 Tshwane Spartans v Durban Heat SuperSport Park, Centurion
Durban Heat Squad:
Hashim Amla, Rashid Khan, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Kyle Abbott, Keshav Maharaj, Khaya Zondo, Albie Morkel, Marchant de Lange, Vernon Philander, Brandon Mavuta, Temba Bavuma, Morné van Wyk, Okuhle Cele, Sarel Erwee, Tladi Bokako, Prenelan Subrayen.
Learn more at www.durbanheat.co.za.
