Amanzimtoti brothers smash cricket for a six
Both started mini cricket in Grade 1 and have been playing for Amanzimtoti Cricket Club since a young age.
Toti cricketing brothers Jared and Taine Havemann are excited for the start of the new season after being selected for provincial teams late last year.
Jared,14, a Grade 8 learner at Durban High School after finishing at Amanzimtoti Primary School, was selected for the KZN U13 squad. “I’ve played KZN since U11 against all provinces. Last year our school team won most of our matches, but I lost count of how many wickets I took,” said the leg spinner. He believes lots of practice and good coaching from Zayne Bux at Amanzimtoti Cricket Club (ACC) has helped him excel at his discipline.
“I started mini cricket in Grade 1 and have been playing for ACC since I was 10. I enjoyed playing mini cricket, which started my interest in the sport. I started out as a seam bowler, with average results. I would always bowl spin when playing against my brother in the garden, so I decided to try leg spin. I enjoy the challenge of getting a batman out.”
And what does he rate is the secret to being a good leg spinner? “It’s a very technical and difficult technique, but with lots of practice and hard work, the results will come.”
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He also plays hockey and made the Upper South Coast team last year for U13. He was captain of Amanzimtoti Primary’s cricket team last year and rates Shane Warne as his favourite cricketer to watch.
“I enjoy spending time with my friends, when I do have free time, and love fishing and going to the beach. I’m looking forward to the start of the new season. I’m practicing hard and hoping to make the KZN team again.”
Younger brother Taine, 11, is originally from Amanzimtoti Primary, but moved to Penzance. The Grade 6 learner made the cut for the KZN U11 cricket team. “Unfortunately we could not play all our matches on our tour as the weather didn’t play along, but managed a game against Mpumalanga and a T20 against Gauteng. We won both our matches.”
He bats at number four for KZN and is the opening bowler. “I opened the batting for Penzance this year and last year I was opening batsman and bowler for Amanzimtoti Primary. We won all our games, except for one. I think putting in the extra hours in the nets with my coach Zayne has made me a better batsman.
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Like my brother, I started playing mini cricket in Grade 1and joined ACC at the age of nine. I always played cricket against my brother. I like that it’s a very challenging sport and enjoy playing with my teammates.”
Taine also plays rugby, hockey, where he made the U12 Upper South Coast team last year, and is a decent swimmer.
He captained Amanzimtoti Primary’s U11 cricket team and the big-hitting AB de Villiers is his favourite cricketer to watch. On his down time, you can catch him throwing a line or chilling with friends. He is also putting in the hard yards to make the provincial side again when the season gets underway in September.
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