New Easterns bowling recruit going places
He is also part of the CSA Elite Bowling group and featured in the SA Invitation team against Afghanistan recently.
Promising left-arm fast bowler Khwezi Gumede has swapped the sun and surf of Durban for Benoni.
The 20-year-old Dolphins Academy product has been recruited by Easterns Cricket on a semi-professional provincial contract and will be attached to Premier League champions Benoni Northerns.
The affable youngster received an initial expression of interest from Easterns head coach Richard das Neves following the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Academy Week in April, and he jumped at the opportunity to further his career on the East Rand.
With the ever-dependable Rowan Richards in the twilight of his career at the Willowmoore Park-based outfit, das Neves said he saw Gumede as a like-for-like replacement in the Easterns attack.
“Khwezi is a very exciting prospect. I saw him bowl some really quick spells at the Academy Week. He is mature and knows what he wants to achieve, and has fitted in nicely with the guys at Easterns,” commented das Neves.
Gumede said he had been particularly impressed by the team’s vision and goals and the way in which they went about achieving them.
“I just felt I could reach my full potential here, bearing in mind how they operate and the structures that are in place,” said Gumede.
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Although he may only make limited appearances at club level due to his provincial commitments, Gumede is attached to double club champions Benoni Northerns.
“We are super happy to have Khwezi on board with us. I have no doubt he will add tremendous value and will be a great ambassador, as well as superstar, at our union,” added Northerns coach Nick Moragemos, who officially welcomed the new addition to the club last week.
“We are looking forward to seeing him in action and back him to do fantastic things for our young, talented squad. He will be an asset to us on and off the field.”
Gumede, likewise, couldn’t contain his excitement: “I had heard a lot about Benoni Northerns and couldn’t have chosen a better club. I am encouraged by the setup, environment and staff here, and also look forward to working with coach Nick.”
With left-arm seamers not exactly a dime-a-dozen in the game in general, the well-grounded, mature youngster has a big responsibility on his shoulders to deliver for both club and province.
