Everyone loves a good duel between leather and willow on a sun-soaked wicket but that never distracts from the bigger issues in life.
The Sunday elite level club cricket season came to a climax as Pirates Cricket club took on Florida Cricket Club (FCC) in a season ending Premier League B third-place playoff on 11 April. The truncated season featured only a handful of matches compared to the usual home and away round robin.
Cricket has always led the way in using the sport as a platform to highlight society’s more serious issues and FCC got their pink caps out to add their contribution. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Pink Day One Day International at Wanderers and throughout the season, FCC has added as much pink to their matchday attire as could be permitted by the laws, raising awareness, not just about breast cancer but all cancers.
Before the action on the field began, FCC handed over the proceeds of their season’s fundraising efforts to the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa). Club chairman Zaid Kimmie was joined by Cansa fundraiser Isabel Gomes and special guest, Central Gauteng Lions chief executive Jono Leaf-Wright, for the heartfelt presentation.
Kimmie thanked his players and their family members who had worked hard to make the season a great success before handing it over to Leaf-Wright who shared his personal connection to the fight against cancer.
“You all have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Cancer does not only affect the patient but also those who the patient leaves behind. In South Africa we need leaders and I challenge you to think how you can make a meaningful impact in our country” said Leaf-Wright who lost his father to the disease.
FCC was bowled out for 132 which Pirates chased down with five wickets to spare.
