Midrand Cricket Club’s Sunday Six (SU6) team was crowned champions of the Sunday Six Timed Cricket league ensuring that the club would be collecting a trophy at the Gauteng Cricket Board awards for the second successive season.
Although the SU6 team had already won the 50-over format that was held late last year, the victory in the timed cricket format played in Midrand was crucial, particularly as it was one of the requirements for promotion into the upper echelons of the Gauteng league cricket.
After a comprehensive victory in their final game against Lenasia Cricket Club, which was won by an innings and 254 runs, celebrations were quiet, as second-placed team Jubileum had matches in hand and could still win the league at a later date despite the strong performances of Midrand Cricket Club.
However, those matches didn’t go entirely Jubileum’s way, and Midrand was crowned the official champs of the SU6 league. In total, Midrand SU6 had played 18 matches, nine of those were limited-overs matches and nine were timed matches. Of the nine limited-overs matches, Midrand won eight with one loss. The club won seven of the timed cricket matches, drawing one and losing one.
The leading run scorer was SU6 captain Thobani Ngqiyaza, who scored 507 runs this season, with the highest score of 169 not out versus B Ntini Cricket Club; and the leading wicket taker was Llewellyn Bakker, who took 24 wickets, finishing the season with his best performance taking 6 for 15 in 13 overs including five maidens versus Lenasia Cricket Club.
In his season review, Ngqiyaza congratulated his squad, especially given that it was the first time that the club had the opportunity to play 50-overs and timed cricket.
Ngqiyaza highlighted the commitment and brotherhood of the squad as key aspects for the success of the team, and also thanked the club as a whole for its support throughout the season
Club chairman, Nevish Rampersadh, echoed these sentiments and said, “The victory and subsequent promotion was key in the club’s overall long-term goals and vision to be at the level to play premier league cricket in the future, but to also enjoy the cricket they play and grow this club for future generations.”
Although the club is now in post-season, work has already begun for next season, as the club is holding its annual inter-club tournament to ensure they have the best squad mix going into next season. Senior training for the next season will resume in September, with the season widely expected to start in October.
Details: If you are interested in joining the club, contact Darren Olivier (Midrand Cricket Club secretary) at darren.olivier@outlook.com; or find them on Facebook MidrandCricketClub
