A spanking new grey and maroon playing kit was one of a host of new and exciting aspects that was unveiled during the official North West Dragons 2021/22 season launch at the Elgro River Lodge on Tuesday, 21 September.
As the new domestic season steadily approaches with the CSA provincial knockout competition’s pool C on 8 October in Bloemfontein, North West Cricket saw fit to launch the senior NW Dragons team with a bang.
This was a superbly hosted event where local business owners, media, and local municipality celebrated North West’s entry into the top tier of SA domestic cricket.
NW Cricket also revealed that the JB Marks Local Municipality will now carry the naming rights to the stadium for the next three years and that the stadium will henceforth be known as the JB Marks Oval.
On a cricket level, fireworks can definitely be expected this season from a solid group of young and experienced players that cover all the basis in every format.
In coach, Monty Jacobs, the team has an astute tactician who has been at the helm for more than a decade. Captain, Nicky van den Bergh is a fantastic player and leader, whilst acquisitions such as Protea, Senuran Muthusamy, Duan Jansen, Lwandiswa Zuma and Delano Potgieter are sure to add fire to the Dragons flame.
Head coach, Monty Jacobs, is also positive for the new season ahead with a brand-new squad of players that can take NW to the next level. The first task for these players is the T20 knockout competition that will feature a mix of A and B division teams. NW will play Easterns, the Dolphins as well as the SA u.19 side.
“Overall the way the team has played in warm up matches has been good to see. We have five more warm up matches before we go into the bio-bubble for the T20 tournament. I believe that timing is very important in cricket. Some matches you will lose, but getting a winning streak at the right time will be crucial in building momentum,” added Jacobs.
Photos: Wouter Pienaar
NW Cricket CEO, HP Prinsloo is thrilled at the thought that the Dragons will compete with the best and have a shot at major silverware this season.
“The two factors that was instrumental in getting a top 8 place in the A division was the infrastructure that we have and secondly we have a great pipeline of producing top players. For this season, we got the players that we wanted, and we did not leave any stone unturned in getting what we needed. Our attitude must be positive, and we are in it to win it,” he added confidently.
“It is important for us to be active in our local community to create a relationship with the NW Dragons team. It is important that the people of JB Marks acknowledge that this is our team and our players. Hopefully we can gain momentum in this T20 competition and be successful this year.”
NW Dragons fixtures: CSA Provincial T20 Knockout tournament (Pool C: Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein)
8 October: NW Dragons vs Dolphins (10:00)
9 October: NW Dragons vs SA u.19 (10:00)
10 October: NW Dragons vs Eastern Storm (14:30)
Playoffs: 19-22 October
