CRICKET
The Knights of Northwood named for Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week
The Northwood first XI cricket team has been named for the 59th edition of the annual Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week (OMCW), hosted by Maritzburg College.
There is considerable depth in the Northwood line-up – and expert knowledge off the field too, which bodes well for the Knights’ matches against (1) Westlake of New Zealand at Richmond Country Club on Saturday, 29 September; (2) St Albans College of Pretoria on St Charles College number 2 Oval on the Sunday; (3) Hudson Park of East London at Barns ground, Maritzburg College, on Monday, 1 October; and in the Durban North school’s final match (Tuesday, October 2) versus (4) Pretoria Boys’ High on Varsity number 2 Oval.
The outstanding wicketkeeper batsman Alvin Chiradza, SA Schools batsman Andile Mogokane, all-rounders Wonder Mtolo and Sammy Gasa are into their third consecutive OMCW while the talented all-rounder Jeremy Martins, Nicholas Deeb and Jelle Veenstra go into their second edition of the OMCW.
Feature image: The Northwood first XI in Pretoria last weekend, with coach Riaan Minnie (back left) and director of cricket Divan van Wyk (back, right).
The team is in good hands under the care of experienced coach Riaan Minnie and Northwood director of cricket Divan van Wyk.
The Northwood Knights celebrate a wicket in Pretoria last weekend.
Northwood first XI will have fond memories of their last visit to the KZN capital when they beat Maritzburg College by 64 runs on Goldstones.
Not many teams can lay claim to a win of that magnitude in recent times.
The bowlers at Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week will be relishing getting to grips with Hill Premium Quality Cricket Balls from Saturday to next Tuesday. Stuart Hill (082 752 1494) will tell you why.
| Northwood 1st XI | Michaelmas Weeks |
| Alvin Chiradza | 3 |
| Andile Mogakane | 3 |
| Wonder Mtolo | 3 |
| Samkelo Gasa | 3 |
| Thulani Chiliza | 1 |
| Jeremy Martins | 2 |
| Ciaran Bigwood | 1 |
| Nicolus Deeb | 2 |
| Jelle Veenstra | 2 |
| Tyler Tomsett | 1 |
| Basil van der Spuy | 1 |
| Dylan Ferreira | 1 |
| Kiaron Gopal | 1 |
| Staff | Portfolio |
| Riaan Minnie | Coach |
| Divan van Wyk | Director |
Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week Umpires named
It gives KZN10.com great pleasure to reveal the names of the umpires who will officiate in the 59th edition of the Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week, so splendidly hosted as always by Maritzburg College.
The four days of cricket, starting Saturday 29 September to Tuesday 2 October sees a remarkable 22 top-tier cricket schools from across the country field their first XI’s in a mammoth 44 matches in and around the KZN capital and further afield at picturesque Eston Country Club and Richmond Country Club.
Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week & Hill Premium Quality Cricket Balls go hand in glove. Maritzburg College Old Boy Stuart Hill (082 752 1494) will tell you why.
Featured image: Umpires Craig Macauley and Sibonelo ‘Sibs’ Mashimane will be busy men on Goldstones and elsewhere during the four days of Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week. Photo Jono Cook
Without these guys, who are more than willing to give of their time and knowledge over four gruelling days of arguably the most intense schoolboy cricket in the country, there simply would be no matches, no cricket week, no nothing.
The Pietermaritzburg-based John Carstens is one of the highly regarded umpires who will officiate at the 59th annual Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week hosted by Maritzburg College.
That said, it is remarkable how many of these steadfast cricket men are, to maul a metaphor, “repeat offenders”.
Umpire Pius Nkosi is back for his umpteenth Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week. Photo Jono Cook
Indeed many of these good men in the trademark black pants, white shirts and hats hail the Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week (OMCW) as their cricketing highlight of the year.
Hence the repeat offenders, many of whom have officiated at Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Weeks into double figures now.
Kershan Moodley is one of the many Durban-based umpires who relish the annual pilgrimage to Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week. Photo Jono Cook
One of the stalwarts of OMCW is umpires’ co-ordinator Mike Wolstenholme.
Umpires gathered last year at the 58th OMCW Dinner in the iconic Victoria Hall, and sponsored once again by caterer supreme Heather Lawson of Granny Macs. Mike Wolstenholme is back row, fourth from the left. Photo Jono Cook
Thanks Mike for sharing the Team Umpire list.
OMCW TEAM UMPIRE 2018
| Andrew Ngubane |
| Cameron Boock |
| Chris Govender |
| Chris Ndlovu |
| Craig Macauley |
| Daryl Govender |
| Jayden Knipe |
| John Carstens |
| Kershan Moodley |
| Matt Ducasse |
| Muhammad Jooma |
| Mike Wolstenholme |
| Pete Osborn |
| Pius Nkosi |
| Saxon Colling |
| Sibonga Shabangu |
| Sibonelo Mashimane |
| Siyabonga Mjojo |
| Stenly Mpofu |
| Yameen Godil |
| Tyler Trenowerth |
| Vaughan Meyer |
Attention, all ye good umpires: Hilliar & Gray offer in-depth assessments that include eye focusing, eye tracking, visual perception and visual processing speed. Look no further.
True confessions of a KZN10 cricket scorer: Professor Michael Kidd
Michael Patchitt: “On my last run I was travelling much too fast and ramped into the (Maritzburg College dormitory) toilets, landing up the wrong way round in a toilet bowl.”
Mark Pearse: “I had to make a secret pact with Graeme and Chris and find out exactly where they would go to have their compulsory smoking session…”
Mike Kidd: “In my experience, cricket scorers’ rooms, especially the one in the scoreboard on Goldstones, made good places for illicit smoking sessions, although, for the record, I was always only a spectator.”
Michaelhouse first XI 1982
(back from left) Graeme Smythe, Graeme Elgie, Dave Burger, Giles Bonnet, Mickey Quin, Stuart Blacklaw, Rob Pluke, scorer Mike Kidd, (front from leftr: John Cheshire, Graeme Hurlbatt, Mugs Stewart (capt), Chris Newson, Neil Thompson, Jesse Chellan.
KZN schoolboy cricket – the stuff of legend. Anyone who hasn’t massaged the school rules on occasion please stand up. Ja, thought so.
There was also some cricket – and plench amusing too:
Trevor Edley: “Vaughan (Bradfield) was incredible on the short ball, as his dodgy knees prevented him from moving his feet…”
THE DOUGLAS BADER OF BATTING: Despite serious knee trouble since school days, DHS’s happy hooker Vaughan Bradfield went on to be one of South Africa’s top hockey players of his era.
Mike Kidd: “The Potch fast bowler quickly ran through the Michaelhouse batting order and our horrified player had to go out and face his worst nightmare. First ball he nicked to the keeper, thus preserving bodily integrity but not his batting average.”
John Cheshire: “… realising he might not make the required runs, Alan Adcock attempted to play the very first and only defensive shot of his illustrious innings…”
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE WITHOUT GRAEME HURLBATT: Canadian Alan Adcock and friend at ease in the Joshua Tree National Park in California. LIKE THE RED BLACK AND WHITE, AL.
JUST 4 days away… The 59th annual Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week, hosted as always by Maritzburg College begins on Saturday, September 29 and wraps up on Tuesday, October 2. A remarkable 22 teams and 44 matches.
First XI cricketers over the past 59 years will have fond memories of KZN schoolboy cricket – and Michaelmas. Here’s a recollection from a slightly different, but no less significant, viewpoint:
Everyone who knows will tell you that Professor Michael Kidd of the Law Faculty at the University of KZN Pietermaritzburg campus, whose academic focus includes Environmental Law, Water Law and Administrative Law, is a cricket fan of note.
Featured image: Professor Michael Kidd of the UKZN Pietermaritzburg campus Law Faculty.
Mike is also a writer of note – humour is never far from the surface and is so elegantly expressed.
I loved this, and know you will too.
Over to Mike Kidd:
“Thanks Jono, here goes…
“There’s an old adage – very unfair – that says, ‘Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach’.
Adapting that to school cricket in the 1980s, it could go, ‘Those who can, play; those who can’t, score’.
“Having had boys at high school in recent years, it is clear to me that there are at least two things very different between schools cricket (certainly at lower levels) in the late 70s and early 80s, when I was at school, and now.
“The first is, whatever team a boy plays for, there is almost always a match.
“My son was in the U14J team at College and he had a match nearly every Saturday. When I was at school, if you weren’t in the As or Bs (or 1sts, 2nds or 3rds), matches against other schools were few and far between.
“Consequently, there were many boys who were keen on sport who didn’t have a match to play on Saturdays. Some of them chose to be cricket scorers (as I did), while others (juniors) were pressganged into doing the job.
“The result of the latter was that the standard of scoring was frequently not all that good. I remember one game against Hilton for the U15C team (one of only a few we had the whole season) when we left the field having been told that we had lost. Upon checking the scorebooks, it turned out that we had, in fact, won.
“Today, in the lower teams, most of the scoring is done by the umpires (who are also the coaches) using a clipboard while checking for no-balls and LBWs.
“When I was at Michaelhouse from 1979-1983, I was very keen on cricket but my enthusiasm was a few levels higher than my skill.”
* Editor’s note: Clearly a (very) late developer, Mike’s latent talent was not fully appreciated by the Michaelhouse selection panel: This elegant product of the UKZN PMB Law Faculty went on to play local league cricket and notched his maiden half-century in his 40’s.
Back to Mike: “When I was not playing for the U15Cs, or 5ths (I once got as high as 3rds, but not even we played every weekend) I scored for the first XI – until the end of 1982 – having got the job during my first term as a standard seven (grade 9) boy in 1979.
“Schoolfriends would often ask me if I was mad giving up my entire Saturday to watch a cricket match and, what’s more, record what was happening in the match with not a little responsibility for the outcome! But I loved it – meeting interesting people, amusing people with the comments I wrote in the scorebooks, travelling to interesting places and watching some great cricket as well.
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“During my Michaelhouse first XI scoring career, members of opposition teams who would later become provincial, national – and in some cases international – names in cricket or rugby (or both) included Paul Rayner (Hilton); Robin Smith and Hugh Reece-Edwards (Northlands); Gerbrand Grobler, Joubert Strydom, Helgard Muller and Hansie Cronje’s older brother Frans Cronje (Grey Bloem); Trevor Packer (Alex); Dave Callaghan, Vlam Michau and Brian Lones (Grey PE); Cameron Oliver and Andrew Hudson, Mark Pearse, Ant Hall (Kearsney); and Craig Norris (KES), among others.
My first game scoring for the firsts was at King Edward VII School (KES) on a short tour to Johannesburg. Chasing an imposing 247 to win in less than ideal time, I was fortunate to witness Mick Tingle hit 94 in 70 minutes, hitting sixes to all areas of the ground and nearly taking out a few spectators, although it was not enough to win the match, Michaelhouse reaching a credible 229 with a couple of wickets in hand at the close. In those days there was very little limited-overs cricket. Declaration cricket was the norm.
“And during that much I struck up a friendship with the KES scorer, and we are still friends 40 years later!”
* Jono says: Then came a one-on-one tussle, between a Michaelhouse fast bowler and a Hilton College batsman (the nature of which just about every schoolboy cricketer could cite a similar example from his own era).
Over to Mike Kidd again:
“Shortly after the Jo’burg tour and the KES match, Michaelhouse hosted Hilton at what is now called the Roy Gathorne Oval. We had a tall, quick, opening bowler who was also a Natal Schools rugby lock, Colin van Heerden. Batting for Hilton was Paul Rayner, who later had a long first-class career with Natal and Western Province.
“Van Heerden pinned Rayner on the head with a short ball. Fortunately for Rayner, these were the early days of helmets, and he was unhurt. Van Heerden bowled another bouncer, whereupon Rayner deposited the ball over the railway line that skirts the Oval at Michaelhouse.
Caption annotation: The illustrious Michaelhouse first XI of 1979. Caption erratum: The gentleman in the front row, third from left (alongside the legends Messrs Van Heerden and Patchitt) is neither N.G. Frolich nor Nic Frolich. It is in fact Paddy Moon. The captain (front row, third from right) is not N.J. Patchitt, it is M.J. Patchitt. Further, the ace scorer (back row, extreme left) is not W.H. Kidd but is in fact one M.A. Kidd. Clearly the photographer bothered himself not with such trifles.
“An annual highlight was Michaelmas Week (now Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week), hosted by Maritzburg College in the September/October vacation. Schools from all over the country came to Pietermaritzburg to play against the invited KZN sides.
“In 1979, Michaelhouse were playing Potchefstroom Boys’ High at a field across the Dusi River called Tinneyland, which is no longer, due to its incorporation into the Camps Drift canal. Mike Patchitt, the Michaelhouse first XI captain, has the following recollection of that week. This is a story I have only recently heard, since I was staying at a friend’s house that week:
A tale of an adventurous Michael Patchitt and the Maritzburg College Underwater Dormitory.
“A few of us got back to the dormitory at Maritzburg College after a few beers ,” says the skipper Mike Patchitt, “and proceeded to start duckdiving in the UPSTAIRS showers which was a long narrow passage with the toilets at the far end.
“Everyone got a bit too excited and the speed at which we slid along the floor increased at an alarming rate. In order to get our speed up we had to use a lot of water and soap outside the showers.
“On my last run I was travelling much too fast and ramped into the toilets, landing up the wrong way round in a toilet bowl. I hobbled to bed but was woken at 4am by Driver Thompson – the late Mike Thompson, Michaelhouse legend and then coach of the Michaelhouse first team.
“As captain of the team I was asked to explain who had flooded the downstairs dormitories. All the cricket coaches had spent 3 hours cleaning up. I did mention that a number of boys were involved in the incident.
“The next day we played against Potch and as a result of my injury could hardly walk, let alone open the bowling. Driver simply smiled and said nothing. No further action was taken and I respect him for that. What a let-off!!!!!”
Back to Mike Kidd:
“The team may have been let off for the duckdiving, but the cricket against Potch was not forgiving. After Potch had made a respectable score, we went in. The Potch fast bowler was very quick indeed – probably faster than any of our team had seen before.
“One of our players in the middle order (no names) spent the entire innings verbally expressing his anxiety (I’m being kind here – it was probably closer to dread) at having to face Dustin.
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“Anyway, Dustin ran through the order fairly quickly and our horrified player had to go out and face his worst nightmare. First ball he nicked to the keeper, thus preserving bodily integrity but not his batting average. Dustin ended up with 8 wickets and Potch won comfortably.
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“My other abiding memories are from 1982, when I was in matric and most of the team were contemporaries of mine. Gordon Paterson, the Michaelhouse coach, who had just returned to the school after a two-year sabbatical at Stellenbosch:
Gordon Paterson recalls: “I had just returned from two seasons under the guidance of Eddie Barlow, so I was determined that we would play to win and not play not to lose.
“It was a thoroughly enjoyable season of cricket with a capable team.”
Back to Prof Kidd:
“Under the captaincy of Murray ‘Mugs’ Stewart, we lost only once to another Natal team in a regular game (we also lost to Hilton in a limited-overs game under lights).
“This loss in a regular declaration fixture was the match late in the year against Kearsney. I wasn’t on duty that game because we in the 5ths had a game against Kearsney on Meadows, at the other end of the school.
“When our game ended (we won), I went up to the Oval to catch the end of the first team game. When I arrived, the stumps had been drawn and everything was over. I found my substitute scorer, and the scorebook made rather dismal reading (from a Michaelhouse perspective).
“Kearsney had declared on 209 for 2, with Mark Pearse out on 99 – he told me later he had tried to tickle a Graeme Hurlbatt delivery down to third man, only succeeding in feathering a catch behind – and Andrew Hudson on 76 not out.
1982 Kearsney College and Natal Schools captain Mark Pearse tried to get cute with a Graeme Hurlbatt delivery and was back in the hut for 99.
“Michaelhouse in response managed to muster only 67, with Anthony Hall taking 8 for 27. Both Hudson and Hurlbatt made the Natal Schools side that year, with Hudson of course eventually playing for South Africa at Test match level (35 Tests and 89 ODIs).
Note from Jono: In 1982 Ant Hall was absolutely unplayable on the AH Smith Oval at Kearsney, zipping the ball off the seam prodigiously. Indeed, so marked was the movement that most of us weren’t good enough to nick-off. Clearly Ant found the Michaelhouse pitch much to his liking as well.
Back to Prof Kidd: “Another memorable game where I wasn’t scorer took place at Goldstones in February of that 1982 year. I was playing for Michaelhouse 5ths on Papes (now the Maritzburg College hockey Astro), on a matting wicket. Having scored a royal duck, I attempted to atone with the ball.
“I bowled the College captain with one that hit the edge of the mat and cut in about a metre-and-a-half to take out off stump. But a College batsman, who looked as if he was a first team prop, cleaned up and we lost quite early in the afternoon.
“I walked down to Basher Ridge on Goldstones to watch the first team game. When I arrived, it looked as though Michaelhouse had it wrapped up.
“Michaelhouse had declared on 153 for 4, with Chris Newson (unlucky not to make Natal Schools, in my opinion) contributing 72 not out. College were in all sorts of trouble, 9 down with less than 100 on the board.
“Nobody had told Maritzburg College’s last batsman, the very swift fast bowler Alan Adcock (son of SA fast bowling great Neil), that the game was over, however. Alan (tall, and a very good golfer) got stuck into the bowling, particularly Hurlbatt; not in an agricultural manner, but by playing some wonderful drives. The ace Michaelhouse fast bowler kept looking for the yorker and number 11 batter Adcock kept driving – with uncommon grace and timing – piercing the covers or straight back past the increasingly frustrated Hurlbatt.”
GOLDSTONES GLORIOUS GOLDSTONES: On-song Maritzburg College fast bowler Alan Adcock disturbs PBHS batsman R. Cleaver’s middle and leg stumps after gliding in from the Princess Margaret Drive End in a fashion so reminiscent of his Springbok paceman dad. Skipper Jono Cook seems a bit surprised for some reason.
Jono says: “I remember like yesterday the supreme competitor (to put a ridiculously mild spin on it) that is Graeme Hurlbatt steaming in from the College Road End in the gathering gloom and working up a fearsome pace as he sought to finish what he had started. I was out early and so relieved that it was now Alan facing and not me. There were quite a few Hurlbatt verbals thrown Alan’s way.”
Back to the Prof: “With the Michaelhouse total in sight, John Cheshire, the Michaelhouse spinner, was reintroduced to the attack:”
Over to John Cheshire: “Mugs (captain Murray Stewart), for whatever reason, entrusted me to bowl what was the final over of the day. College (Adcock) needed 14 to win.
THERE IS ALWAYS ONE… An unforeseen arm ball from Michaelhouse and Natal Schools mystery spinner John Cheshire cruelly deprived the dashing Maritzburg College number 11 batsman Alan Adcock of a deserved place in Red Black and White cricket folklore.
“(Alan) Adcock swung and missed at my first 2 deliveries and then, realising he might not make the required runs, attempted to play the very first and only defensive shot of his illustrious innings, only for ball to go between bat and pad and clean bowled!”
Jono says: John that hurt, as I thought we (by ‘we’, read Alan Adcock) had dragged the impossible out of the fire.
OK, back to Professor Mike: “Alan Adcock was eventually dismissed for 42 and Michaelhouse had won by 13 runs.
“Exactly a month later in that 1982 year, Alexandra came up to Michaelhouse. There was a lot of moisture in the air and I assume Michaelhouse won the toss and put Alex in.
“Hurlbatt got 4 wickets with Stuart Blacklaw and Jesse Chellan getting 3 apiece, to have Alex back in the hut for 55. Alex struck back, however, and all of the Michaelhouse batsmen who usually scored runs were out with the target still some way off.
“The prospect of an unexpected defeat loomed large. Alex fast bowler Mark Iveson (Jono says, extremely swift, trust me) whom captain Greg Visick described as “a bowler who gave me everything I asked” and was unfortunate not to make Natal Schools, took 4 wickets.
“Enter Graeme Elgie, who showed the previous batsmen how to handle the conditions, ending with 49 and taking Michaelhouse safely to 111. Alex were put in for a second innings, mustering 77.
An inspirational 49 from the lesser-heralded Michaelhouse batsman Graeme Elgie turned looming defeat and a Mark Iveson wicket-taking tidal wave into victory against the luckless Alex first XI.
“One of the most exciting games in which I was involved as scorer was against DHS, at Michaelhouse. We scored 157 for 8, leaving DHS 150 minutes to score 158 for victory.
“As Michaelhouse first XI coach Gordon Paterson observed in the school magazine: ‘At 57 for 1 at tea and 100 for 4 at 4.45pm, they [DHS] were well placed for victory’.”
Recalls Trevor Edley, the 1982 DHS captain and Natal Schools’ cricketer of his DHS team-mate Vaughan Bradfield (the brilliant hockey player): “Vaughan opened the batting in this game to devastating effect and was setting us up for victory.
1982 DHS first XI captain and Natal Schools batsman Trevor Edley and “Brad” (only joking – I suspect the pooch’s knees are OK)).
“Vaughan was incredible on the short ball, as his dodgy knees prevented him from moving his feet; remarkable in that he would become one of the outstanding South Africans on the hockey field.
“He fell just short of his 50 and Hurlbatt came back into the attack to take a further 3 wickets (he took 5 overall), leaving things on a knife’s edge. Overs were running out and DHS were closing in, but with only one wicket left. All three results were still a possibility when Chellan bowled Andrew Butler to leave Michaelhouse victors by 3 runs.”
Back to Professor Mike: “At the end of Offord Week, when the Natal Schools’ team was selected, I was fortunate to be asked to score for them in a warm-up game at Kingsmead against a Natal Country Districts side.
“I knew about half the Natal Schools side quite well, since there were three Michaelhouse representatives (Neil Thompson, Graeme Hurlbatt and John Cheshire) and three players who had been at Highbury with me; Mark Pearse, the captain, and Paul Logan (also from Kearsney), and Chris Copland from Hilton (more about them in the next paragraph).
“This was my last game as scorer at school (I scored for a few of my sons’ games 30 years later as a coerced spectator!) and it was the only time ever that one of the players (no names) came into the scorers’ room during lunch to change his bowling figures.
“I noticed the alterations and tidied everything up after lunch, but it was something that I had never expected!
Highbury first XI 1978. Back row 4th from left: Chris Copland then Giles Bonnet and Paul Logan. Front row 2nd from left: Graeme Elgie, captain Mark Pearse (centre) and Michael Kidd on the right.
“Four of the Natal players were selected for SA Schools in 1982: Graeme Hurlbatt and Chris Copland were the SA Schools opening bowlers that year, Mark Pearse and David Pfaff, the opening batsman from Hilton College, who was also an SA Schools hockey striker, also made the team.
Natal Schools captain Mark Pearse recalls: ““It was no secret that leading up to Nuffield Week, Graeme and Chris were going to be a devastating new ball pairing.
“They certainly didn’t disappoint and destroyed a number of the other sides. Ant Lovell (Hilton College legend) was our coach and we always liked to have a team meeting the night before a game to dissect the opposition the next day.
“Obviously, the time would change depending on everyone’s availability. I had to make a secret pact with Graeme and Chris and find out exactly where they would go to have their compulsory smoking session.
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“If Ant Lovell called a meeting, I would rush off to Chris and Graeme in the agreed smoking area and hand out some spearmint chewing gun to dilute the smell of cigarettes! Great memories and superb characters.”
Back to Professor Michael Kidd: “From my experience, scorers’ rooms, especially the one in the scoreboard on Goldstones, made good places for illicit smoking sessions, although, for the record, I was always only a spectator.
“SIR, I WAS ONLY A SPECTATOR. PROMISE…” Tom Selleck, Bernoldus Niemand or ???
“I suppose that a young cricket enthusiast who is now at a well-resourced school has ample opportunity to play cricket almost every weekend, so the option of scoring is not so common anymore.
“All the same, I’m glad that I had the opportunity with the scorebook. Those memories are as vivid as those of any matches in which I played.”
ENDS
# Cheers Mike, having also been in matric in 1982, your recollections have sparked a dozen – and more – memories of that special time. Thank you. Magic stuff.
GIVE THIS MAN (YET ANOTHER) CASTLE! Thanks Mike.
*****
Notes from Jono:
The colourful Graeme Hurlbatt:
* Bulawayo-born, came to Michaelhouse from the then family home in Swaziland, made SA Schools cricket, was a (frightening, trust me) Michaelhouse first team hockey centre forward that no-one wanted to mark (trust me), played cricket for Natal B and Scotland. Graeme, who was nicknamed Captain Marvel by one of his UK clubs, played and coached in Scotland and Ireland with great success for the better part of 3 decades.
A far more chilled Graeme Hurlbatt than on that epic Goldstones Saturday late-afternoon when Maritzburg College batting bunny Alan Adcock drove the Michaelhouse terror down the ground with elan and panache.
Alan Adcock’s dad:
* Alan Adcock’s dad, Neil Adcock, was the first South African fast bowler to take 100 Test wickets. He used his height to make the ball lift alarmingly off a length. On the Springboks’ tour to England in 1960, Adcock was a revelation, brushing off the controversy surrounding his new-ball partner, DHS Old Boy Geoff Griffin – who was no-balled for throwing – to take 26 wickets in the Tests, even though South Africa lost the series 3-0. On that England tour, Adcock took 108 wickets for the Springboks at an average of 14 and was named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year.
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON: Neil Amwin Treharne Adcock.
As you can see from this 1956 British Pathé newsreel filmed on day 1 of the first Test between the Springboks and England at Ellis Park, cricket in South Africa was a box office event drawing capacity crowds. During a purple patch, Jeppe Old Boy Neil Adcock and Peter Heine – one of the great new-ball partnerships – took 98 wickets between them in 12 Tests. Neil later became a popular cricket commentator.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Qt78mZRCU
THE NEIL ADCOCK DELIVERY STRIDE: Give me the mysteries of John Cheshire on a sticky wicket any time.
Australia’s Brad Hope recalls his Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week
Affies: 65 (Goldstones); Jeppe: 83* (Goldstones); Hudson Park: 85 (Goldstones); St Andrews Grahamstown: 24 (Eston).
That was Maritzburg College grade 9 (standard 7) boy Bradley Hope’s 2014 – and only – Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week
Then 100 not out in Brad’s last match for the Maritzburg College first XI, on Goldstones, vs Glenwood, who had the outstanding schoolboy Andile Phehlukwayo in their side.
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Feature image: Grade 9, Maritzburg College first XI, 2014: Bradley Hope, an elegant batsman beyond his years.
That was Bradley Hope in 2014 – in grade 9 – before he moved to Australia with his family.
And it’s just 12 days away from the 59th edition of the longest-running invitation schoolboy cricket week in the country.
Maritzburg College Old Boy Bradley Hope… (fourth from right, back row) in the Australia U19 team.
The 2018 Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week sees its sponsor, Jonathan Oppenheimer, backing the week in order to keep costs down, for the 15th consecutive year.
Back to Brad: We will never know the extent to which Bradley Hope might have re-written the record books at Maritzburg College had he completed his remaining three school years at the Red Black and White.
257 Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week runs at an average of 86 while in grade 9 marked Brad Hope as one to watch.
Beginning grade 10 at Christ Church Grammar School in 2015, Durban Prep boy Brad has continued climbing the cricket ladder. More about that later.
Brad’s four knocks at the 2014 Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week as a recently-turned 15-year-old will stay with me a long time, as will his 100* in his last match on Goldstones.
Brad Hope when he was in the Australia U17 team, from which he graduated to the Australia U19 side.
An elegant batsman with a textbook technique, and an outstanding swing and seam bowler at brisk pace, Brad also had a cricket brain far beyond his years.
Content to play himself in, 12-plus deliveries with just a run or two to his name would – before you knew it – translate into an 80 in 60 or 70 balls – an array of shots straight out of the MCC coaching manual.
Content to play himself in at his own pace, the 14/15-year-old Brad Hope of 2014 would then up his strike rate with seemingly effortless ease. A repertoire of textbook cricket shots, head down, play through the ball and follow.
So when virtually all boys his age in top-tier cricket schools were playing U15 cricket, Brad Hope scored 257 Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week runs for the Maritzburg College first XI – against Affies, Jeppe, Hudson Park and St Andrews College Grahamstown – at an average of 86 per innings.
And that 100 not out in a losing cause against a rampant Phehlukwayo-driven Glenwood, who won that day, was in my book the best knock of them all.
Brad Hope… Maritzburg College 200 for 2 in the 38th over at the Grey PE Cricket Festival.
Over to Bradley Hope from Perth:
“Hi Jon, yes I played in Michaelmas in 2014 and can remember nearly the whole Maritzburg College first XI; Lwandiswa Zuma, Sohail Mahmoud, Denham Shepstone, David Small, Jean de Wet, Matthew Dicks to name a few.
The 2014 Maritzburg College first XI on Goldstones, of which Bradley Hope has fond memories. “Maritzburg College was special because of the passion everyone has for the school.”
“The coach was Mr Mike Smith. He helped me massively with the mental side of the game and preparing me for cricket beyond school.”
Brad, what was special about Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week?
“It was pretty cool having all the teams staying at College and getting to talk to guys from other schools you wouldn’t normally speak to. It was also really good to play 4 games in 4 days against top schools from other provinces.
Passion to be the best. http://titantech.co.za/ for the best advice.
“Maritzburg College was special because of the passion everyone has for the school and the bond you create with the other boys because you spend so much time with each other.”
Brad finished his secondary education in 2017 at Christ Church Grammar School and is now at the University of Western Australia reading for a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Brad, how is your cricketing journey going in Australia?
HOME of CRICKET LEGENDS… Justin Langer, Terry Alderman: Brad Hope at the WACA in Perth… one day???
“It’s been going really well. School cricket isn’t as important as it is in South Africa. It’s all about club cricket.
“Australia has been great so far, it took a bit of getting used but once we settled down it’s been good. The biggest thing I miss is spending time with family.
Spending time with family is important. As is the ideal environment. https://www.fordoun.com/
“I’ve been really lucky to have played for the Western Australia senior second XI, the Australia U19 team and I also got a rookie contract for the Perth Scorchers in The Big Bash League (the Australian Professional Twenty20 cricket league).
“And recently I went with the (Western Australia Sheffield Shield) Warriors squad on their pre-season camp to Brisbane.”
Phew. Keep it up Brad, we’re all backing you to wear the Aussie Baggy Green cap one day soon.
Bradley Hope is a swing and seam bowler held in high regard.
THE FOUNDATION IS STRONG: Bradley Hope’s ability to score heavily is founded on a technically correct base.
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Highveld cricket matches leave Maritzburg College & Clifton 1sts with food for thought
WITH the Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Festival now just 26 days away, OMCW hosts Maritzburg College and fellow KZN10 invitees Clifton College got some solid time in the middle during the Fasken Time Cricket Festival hosted as always by St Davids Marist Inanda over the weekend.
Not all the sides were at full strength – Clifton, for one, were missing key players in captain and prolific batting all-rounder Matthew Montgomery, as well as outstanding all-rounder Simon Holmes. That said, the 2 two-day matches were invaluable to all who participated.
Feature image: Maritzburg College’s grade 11 top-order batsmen Jacques van der Walt (left) and Andrew Todd scored half-centuries against St Albans. Photo Jono Cook
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I’m just surmising from afar that the experience also gave the two participating KZN10 sides – Maritzburg College and Clifton – much food for thought and specific aspects to work on ahead of the domestic season getting into full swing.
The two KZN10 sides were well beaten in three of the four matches with the fourth leaning towards Maritzburg College before ending in a draw.
Certainly in head coaches Dave Pryke of Maritzburg College and Yashin Ebrahim of Clifton we have the calibre of cricket men to implement the necessary remedies.
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Other OMCW sides St Stithians, Cricket South Africa TAP (Talent Acceleration Programme) XI, KES (King Edward VII School) and St Albans College Pretoria also got in some quality time.
Based on the outcomes at St Davids it appears that the three Johannesburg-based sides (assuming CSA TAP – I am not sure – is primarily from Gauteng ) are running into prime form at this early stage of the 2018 third/fourth term school cricket season.
It’s going to be interesting to see how the upcountry schools fare against the KZN sides at OMCW, which takes place in the greater PMB region and where the local lads are more accustomed to the conditions
Individual awards went to Cameron Shekleton of St Stithians (Best Batsman, with the remarkable average of 261), Neo Felane of the CSA TAP XI (Best Bowler, with 14 wickets) and Bryce Parsons of King Edward VII School (Best Player, with 265 runs and nine wickets).
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ROUND 1 SCORES IN BRIEF
St Stithian’s vs Clifton
Clifton 108 (Joshua Hoffman 8/36) and 165 (Daniel Elgar 41, Joshua Hoffman 6/52)
St Stithians 388/6 dec (Cameron Rowe 156, Cameron Shekleton 131)
St Stithians won by an innings and 115 runs
Cricket South Africa TAP XI vs St Alban’s College
CSA TAP XI 246 (Marco Jansen 62, Bonga Makhakha 54, Rein Hulme 3/31) and 95/8 (Bradley Leonard 3/19, Hulme 3/24)
St Alban’s College 113 (Ross Whitelaw 49, Odirile Modimokane 7/6) and 221 (Hulme 70, Jacques Vosloo 3/28, Neo Felane 3/46)
CSA TAP XI won by 2 wickets
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St David’s vs St Andrew’s (Bloemfontein)
St David’s 298/7 dec (Jacob Miltz 130, Alex Lategan 106) and 226/3 dec (Miltz 67, Lategan 60)
St Andrew’s 271/6 dec (Corne Viljoen 102, Ruan Cronje 63) and 68/0
Match drawn
King Edward VII vs Maritzburg College
Maritzburg College 251/9 dec (Jared Campbell 51, Bryce Parsons 3/59, Keegan Jansen van Rensburg 3/64) and 254 (Dean Dyer 76 not out, Jacques van der Walt 70)
King Edward VII 364/7 dec (Heinrigh Pieterse 190, Bryce Parsons 117, Mondli Khumalo 3/74) and 142/1 (Joshua Streak 52, Jason Bracher 50)
King Edward VII won by 9 wickets
Maritzburg College pacemen Mondli Khumalo (3-74) and Jayden Gengan (4-36) got wickets in the respective KES and St Albans first innings. Photo Jono Cook
ROUND 2 SCORES IN BRIEF
Maritzburg College vs St Alban’s College
Maritzburg College 240 (Andrew Todd 70, Dean Dyer 66 not out, Simon Miller 3/20) and 183/5 dec (Jacques van der Walt 54 not out, Jordan Landsberg 3/29)
St Alban’s 121/7 dec (Ross Whitelaw 57, Jayden Gengan 4/36) and 258/7 (Rein Hulme 73, Whitelaw 67, Shaun Elliot 3/29)
Match drawn
St David’s vs Cricket South Africa TAP XI
St David’s 60 (Marco Jansen 3/11, Neo Felane 3/4) and 180 (Jacob Miltz 70, Neo Felane 7/38)
CSA TAP XI 218/9 dec (Tahir Isaacs 82, Tetelo Maphaka 3/42, Bradley Griffin 3/73) and 23/0
CSA TAP XI won by 10 wickets
* St Andrew’s School (Bloemfontein) vs St Stithians
St Andrew’s 273 (Henre Koekemoer 84 not out, Ruan Cronje 52, JP Bloem 3/31, Tristan Brooks 3/53)
St Stithians 332/1 dec (Cameron Shekleton 130 not out, Cameron Rowe 90, Mudiwa Chanakira 99 not out)
Match drawn
* From the scores source I accessed.
Clifton’s Ariq Chetty put his bat aside to take 4 wickets in the big KES 1st innings total.
* Clifton Durban vs King Edward VII School
Clifton Durban 226 (Daniel Elgar 41) and 174 (Crispin McKenzie 4/53, Bryce Parsons 3/9)
King Edward VII 378 (Parsons 102, Jason Bracher 64, Ariq Chetty 4/143) and 23/0
King Edward VII won by 10 wickets
* It appears, from the scores source I accessed, that the KES first innings total is almost certainly not exactly correct but other than that the rest of the detail is. KES did win the game by 10 wickets.
KZN10.com talks to Michaelhouse fast bowler Fraser Jones
AS the cricket season dawns, some of the KZN10 first XI squads already playing friendlies, the 59th annual Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week hosted by Maritzburg College just 30 days away, KZN10.com spoke to Michaelhouse all-rounder Fraser Jones, who represented South Africa at the U19 World Cup in New Zealand.
Fraser, the U19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand?
“Thanks for interviewing me, Sir. Being chosen to represent my country with the SA U19 World Cup team, played in New Zealand in January this year, is the highlight of my cricket career so far. It exposed me to a new level of cricket.
“I took away loads of sporting and life lessons. In my final game, I was honoured to be made man of the match after taking five wickets against Bangladesh.”
Michaelhouse and SA’s Fraser Jones man of the match for his U19 Cricket World Cup 5 for 33 vs Bangladesh in New Zealand.
Fraser’s efforts with the ball upfront played a role in reducing Bangladesh to 33 for five on South Africa’s way to an eight-wicket victory with 69 balls to spare. His final analysis was five wickets for 33 off 8 overs.
That SA U19 selection was another step in a steady progression that began for Fraser at primary school in Johannesburg.
A place in the Gauteng U13 team was followed by selection for the KZN U15, U17 and U19 teams, as well as for the Dolphins in the U19 Cubs Week, and for South Africa at U17 and U19 level.
Fraser was also Dolphins 12th man in a Sunfoil Series match and is in the Tugela Sharks team in the current Dolphins T20 Premier League.
If all goes well, with his last term of cricket at Michaelhouse looming, and the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola U19 Week in Cape Town in December, there is more cricket to come from Fraser in the final quarter of the year.
Fraser, KZN10.com wishes you all the best in that regard. So where did it start?
“I started playing cricket from the time I could hold a bat.
“At the age of 6, I started playing cricket at The Ridge School in Johannesburg. In my primary years, it was most definitely my dad who taught me the most about cricket. I also taught my sisters how to bowl to me in the nets.
“In the beginning of my cricketing journey, I was just a top-order batsman who never really bowled, so batting was the main focus then.”
Balance, technique. In his primary years Fraser was a batsman.
It’s great to see that in high school Fraser has added wicket-taking ability to his cricketing armoury but apart from his skills as an opening bowler, for which he is probably better-known, he is also a talented batsman.
Sound technique, times the ball sweetly, an array of shots and the ability to pace an innings.
So does Fraser see himself as a bowling all-rounder or does he feel, be it batting or bowling, that he offers the same value?
“I see myself as a genuine all-rounder. I back my batting and believe that I offer the same value with both my batting and bowling.”
With ball in hand, Fraser is certainly a strike weapon in his role as the Michaelhouse first XI opening bowler. If a threatening partnership needs to be broken or wickets are needed in a hurry, his captain Mike Brownlee could well glance Fraser’s way.
SA U19 fast bowler Fraser Jones follows through after delivery.
“If called on, I enjoy taking on the responsibility for the team, it brings out the best in me. My team-mates have always made it a lot easier by backing my bowling and encouraging me – even at times when I could not break partnerships.”
As many a frontline fast bowler will tell you, some with tears of frustration in their eyes, the backing of wicketkeeper, close catchers and outfielders are critical in returning the bowling figures that output and skills have merited.
If things don’t go well in the field, it must be tough, given the energy and skill-set that has been poured into the paceman’s efforts?
“Yes, it is really important to have the double-backing effect between the bowler and his fielders, as it gives confidence to run in and only focus on bowling.”
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Fraser made his Michaelhouse first XI debut in grade 10 and estimates he has around 40 games in the school’s premier team under his belt.
And, unsurprisingly, some of his favourite cricketing memories stem from the longstanding association between Michaelhouse and Hilton College.
“Led by our captain Sean Gilson, our first-term victory over Hilton at home last year (2017) is one I remember, because it was just a good, all-round game, great team spirit. I always look forward to the Hilton-Michaelhouse game as the rivalry and tradition behind it makes the occasion unforgettable.”
The batsman had better be up for this… Fraser Jones launches into his delivery stride during the U19 World Cup.
While at Michaelhouse, Fraser has been fortunate to benefit from the experience of knowledgeable cricket men.
“At the beginning of my time at Michaelhouse, Mr (Johnny) Crawford was very influential. He guided me in cricket and was always available if I needed support and a good chat.”
Indeed, Johnny Crawford, first at Alex (Alexandra High School) in its cricketing prime, and latterly at Michaelhouse, has given – and still does – countless hours to developing young cricketers.
“During Mr (Dale) Benkenstein’s time at Michaelhouse, he helped take my game to another level. He always had my back, even to justify why my time on the field was worth missing time in the classroom.”
A Michaelhouse Old Boy, Dale is making a huge impression in his current role as Hilton College first XI coach.
With every cricketer, as in life, the highs come with the lows – and as much as Fraser’s cricket journey has brought much joy, there has been one particularly tough experience. Success and disappointment are two sides of the same coin.
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Fraser’s SA selection for this year’s U19 Cricket World Cup was a case of recognition and an opportunity on the world stage. Opting to forego the rugby season, where a Michaelhouse first XV jersey was as close to definite as these things can be, in preparation for the SA U19 cricket tour to England in July, and then missing the cut, was indeed that difficult moment.
“I was seriously disappointed that I was not selected for the squad for the UK tour.”
So did Fraser try, as tough as it is, to use that disappointment as a motivator?
“Yes, looking back, it has helped me focus on other important aspects of life.
“I missed the first few weeks of my matric year over the World Cup tour, so I got time to catch up on my work, and spend time with friends, which I had missed. Representing an international side meant sacrificing time and passion for my other sports.
“After missing the entire season of rugby, I got to run on in the red and white stripes of the Michaelhouse first team for the final game, the big derby at Hilton.”
Focusing on cricket, Fraser had to miss the Michaelhouse first XV rugby season – with one exception… playing in the 200th Hilton Michaelhouse first team match.
If one was to choose the one match to play in, that 200th first XV match between Hilton and Michaelhouse was indeed the one – and Fraser acquitted himself well. Who knows what might have been, had he played the whole season.
“It was hard not playing the rugby season. I love rugby and perhaps, had I been selected for representative teams, it could have been a good path for me. The way that it played out, cricket is where I have been most recognised.
“After the SA U19 cricket tour selection wasn’t in my favour, it saddened me that I had missed out on the rugby season and time on the field with my team-mates in my final year at Michaelhouse.
“Looking back, it’s something that I will never forget but can only learn from, sacrificing for other things that might have benefited me in the long run.
“I would like to think that the disappointment I experienced gave me a chance to enjoy my limited time left at school, so what I have taken away from the experience is that out of bad can come good.”
Has the support of family and friends been a boost in the good times and the bad?
“I am so grateful for the family and friends that I have. They have all been on my roller-coaster ride with me, in cricket and every aspect of my life.
“My sisters (one older and one younger) have spent so much time away from their lives, to be on the side of the field for me.
“My dad has been my biggest critic and my greatest fan, and my mum my backbone.
“I am so blessed to have the aunts, uncles and grandparents that I do, they have travelled across the country to be with me.”
Quality time with people who care makes life special. https://www.fordoun.com/
Fraser, you’re now in your last few months at Michaelhouse, your dad is a Michaelhouse Old Boy, what has the school taught you, what have you learned that has fashioned you into the person you are?
“Michaelhouse has taught me how to be a man. It has offered me unforgettable life experiences, friends and memories. It has encouraged me to try and establish the person that I hope to become.”
Next year is not that far off, your post-school future lies before you, do you have any plans or options at this stage?
“After my time at the World Cup, there are paths that have opened up to me. My decision is still to be finalised, but my primary focus is to study at the university of my choice.”
Communication is the key to so many doors. https://www.cellc.co.za/
Thanks for your time, Fraser. KZN10.com wishes you everything of the best.
Maritzburg College’s Braderz ticks all the right boxes
APPROACHING it, doing it, the right way… every time.
SA Schools hockey player, Maritzburg College first XI cricket captain, prominent school leader and noted academic Andre Bradford is one of those quietly efficient boys who gets on with the job with the minimum of fuss and produces the goods.
Feature image: WALKING TALL – Andre Bradford… SA Schools.
KZN10.com wanted to find out more – So Andre, what was your overall impression of last month’s SA U18 vs Oz U17 Schoolboys series, what you learnt from it about yourself as a player, was there a good vibe between the teams, the atmosphere during the matches?
“I will never forget the surreal feeling I experienced walking onto the field on the first night, lining up, singing the national anthem…
A PROUD MOMENT: Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika… Andre Bradford is 5th from the left.
“It was an amazing opportunity and a great honour to be a part of an SA Schools team but it’s even better to be able to participate for that team against another country. Playing against Australia was an experience that I will never forget, and I think it is a good initiative to improve schoolboy hockey in South Africa.
“With the matches being held during the U16 iWYZE Old Mutual Boys and Girls Hockey Nationals – and so much hype about the series beforehand – the crowds on all three nights were bigger than I have ever played in front of and the atmosphere was electric.
ASTRO SPRAY: Braderz makes sure.
“The series was hard-fought, challenged me to my limits and taught me lots of lessons – on and off the field. I learnt so much in training from our head coach Mr Devon van der Merwe as well as Mr Krinesan Moodley (St Alban’s College director of sport and Northern Blues men’s head coach) – and just being able to play and train with the best schoolboy players in the country improved my game.
“The vibe between the two teams was friendly and the games were played in good spirit. The two teams had a few opportunities to get to know each other and I’m sure some of those friendships will live long after the series. Overall, I thought the whole series was a huge positive for me personally and for schoolboy hockey in South Africa and I feel privileged to have been a part of it.”
ISOLATED BUT IN CONTROL AS THE AUSSIES HOVER.
And what about Andre’s favourite 2018 iWYZE Old Mutual Hockey Nationals match in KZN Inland colours? Where, as mentioned, KZN Inland were silver medallists to a very smart KZN Coastal team piloted by head coach Keegan Pierce (Clifton College director of hockey) and captain Guy Morgan (Kearsney College).
“My favourite match… probably the semi-final against (defending champions) Western Province. In previous years I have played against Province and on all three occasions I have lost. Being a semi-final, it was always going to be a big game. I think what made it so special was the fact that we defended so well and were able to take our chances at crucial moments. Beating Province for the first time will always be memorable.”
In that match, KZN Inland head coach Matt Fairweather (Hilton College) devised the perfect game plan. It was in KZN10.com’s opinion one of the most flawless schoolboy hockey team performances seen in decades of watching stick-and-ball schoolboy classics.
On a nuts-and-bolts issue, Andre
Bradford also performed the vital role of penalty corner injection trapper for Maritzburg College and KZN Inland – and when necessary for SA Schools.
Andre’s thoughts on the set-piece technicalities? “It’s really important to have a quick, accurate push because with a good stop it allows the flicker much more time at the top of the D, thus giving the flicker the chance to pick any spot on the goal. With a slow or inaccurate push and stop, often the first wave will run the flicker down, and not allow them to get a flick off.”
HOW IT’S DONE: Andre Bradford traps the penalty corner injection to perfection, affording KZN Inland team-mate Luke Grove – the Hilton College striker had a brilliant Old Mutual iWYZE Nationals – the ultimate lead-in to drag-flick showtime.
It’s a no-brainer that achieving SA Schools selection doesn’t just happen. It’s the schoolboy hockey player’s most coveted prize… many years of toil on training pitches have already been banked in learning, then honing, skills/tactical/technical knowledge before implementing the full package come big-match time, thereby catching the national selectors’ attention.
“I started playing hockey when I was 7 years old. Paul Gonlag was a big influence in my primary school years, encouraging me to use my talent and work hard.”
* A soldier of the game in KZN Inland, Eston Primary’s Paul Gonlag has nurtured some astonishing young talent both at his school and in provincial U13 sides – the sight of now SA men’s striker Tevin Kok, probably the smallest boy at that particular U13 Hockey Nationals, wielding his hockey wand like a wizard (mixed metaphor? You be the judge) on Papes will remain forever-etched in my bank of hockey memories. Let’s get back to Andre before I wander off in a fairy-tale of memories.
“In high school, Mr Swart, Mr (Kyle) Emerson (MC and KZN Inland U16A head coach) and Mr (Devon) van der Merwe (then MC hockey director, now Hilton College first team and SA Schools’ coach), pushed me and improved my technical ability immensely.
“Also having been coached this year by the likes of Mr Coombes (MC) and Mr Fairweather (KZN Inland), I learnt a lot about what it takes to play at the top levels because they are experienced at the highest level.”
On the domestic front – the following number of paragraphs illustrates what it means for a boy to represent his school:
Saturday, 4 August was The Big Show… Andre and the boys’ last match in a Red Army shirt… their last match on Fortress Pape’s Astro… Maritzburg College Reunion Saturday… an expectant crowd, many seeing their only alma mater match of the year… wanting to assure those Old Boys, in the flesh, that Maritzburg College hockey was maintaining its heritage of excellence – and it couldn’t have been scripted any better than what happened for real.
The Red Army put on a stunning first half… totally in keeping with the illustrious traditions of MC first team hockey. A good KES side, who were shaded 2-1 in the Johannesburg leg of this biannual fixture, were subjected to a 4-0 blitzkrieg in the first 30 minutes. The grizzled Old Boys, most still a little fragile from the festivities the night before, were impressed… an adjective that actually doesn’t do justice to their assessment.
“The first KES match in Johannesburg (4 May) was a tough one, having travelled up there the day before. It is never easy against a dogged KES team. I think the first game came down to us taking our chances in a tight game. I am sure KES came to Pape’s with lots of motivation to try and turn that around. They are a team that never give up and play with a lot of heart.”
Indeed, once KES had absorbed the 4-0 first-half rout, they were much better after the changeover, but the end-game score was 5-0. You don’t allow any Red Army side a four-goal lead.
Braderz sets to nail the target-man pass as Fortress Pape’s team-mates Adrian Greaves and captain Russell Stainbank look on from the Thirsti Water End.
“The College boys were extremely motivated – Reunion Day, the watching Old Boys, final game of the season, the very last game for the Grade 12’s. It was an emotional one for all of us. Having said that, it was important that we all focused on doing our job – and then savoured the moment when it was all over.
“We are so fortunate to have been involved in such a professional hockey programme at College. I have trained under a series of great coaches on Pape’s. The past two years, playing for 1st team, have grown me enormously as a player and the two years are packed with good memories.
“Despite the 5-0 and the excellent team performance, it was to an extent a sad moment when the final whistle went and the realisation hit that I would never again be able to pull the shirt on and play for the Red Army.
THE RED ARMY CLASS OF 2018 SAYS GOODBYE: Thanking their supporters on Red Army Hill for the last time.
“I will always be grateful for the opportunity I was given to represent College and will cherish the memories for the rest of my life.”
KZN10: Andre, apart from your hockey achievements, your cricketing and academic prowess has also been notable. As the Maritzburg College first XI cricket captain, wicketkeeper and top-order batsman, plus a deputy head prefect, as well as one of the school’s leading grade 12 academics, do you find the responsibility puts a strain on you or brings out the best?
Andre: Definitely brings out the best in me. I’ve always been really busy and I find I do better under pressure. There are times when I struggle with it all but I always seem to find a way through it.
LONELINESS OF THE LONG-DISTANCE BATTER: Braderz (at Glenwood in this image) is always in it for the long haul.
KZN10: You obviously have an extremely busy schedule as far as sport, academics and student leadership is concerned, how do you manage your time in order to do justice to all these activities plus have some leisure time?
AB: I don’t procrastinate much, so when I do something, I do it properly and don’t waste time. I also organise everything in advance so I can see where I’ll need to apply myself more. This allows me to have enough time for everything and be able to do it to the best of my ability.
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KZN10: You played a key role in the 2018 Maritzburg College first hockey team’s successful year – and in the excellent KZN Inland team that did everything but win the iWYZE Old Mutual Boys U18 Hockey Nationals on Pape’s Astro at Maritzburg College last month, what is it about your hockey that has enabled you to add value to your teams?
“I am a midfielder but I’m also able to play at the back. I find myself most comfortable playing a deep centre mid (a deep blocker) position because I enjoy distributing. In this role I was able to do this more often than not – and being quite a defensive player, I was able to add value to the defensive unit of both my school and provincial team.”
In your hockey, cricket careers so far, what representative teams/squads have you played/been selected for? Provincial and SA.
“In cricket, KZN Inland U17 (last year), in hockey, KZN Inland U14A, U16B, U16A, U18B, U18A, and SA U16B, and SA U18A.”
There you have the evidence of a sportsman’s consistency over time and progression up the ladder, one step-up, followed by another.
Braderz made his Red Army first team hockey debut at the beginning of last year and as of the last match of the season, the 5-0 defeat of KES on Maritzburg College Old Boys Day Saturday, 4 August, was not far off 50 appearances. So how has his game improved over the two years?
“I have come a long way since my Red Army debut, developed a lot mentally and technically. In my first few games I really struggled with the speed and intensity but gradually got used to it and able to keep up with it. I’ve become a lot more confident in my ability and feel much more comfortable on the Astro.”
* Dylan Coombes, in his first year as Maritzburg College director of hockey and first team head coach, has completed a wonderful season in which the school’s depth and quality of hockey across the age-groups has ensured a remarkable win/loss percentage.
So Braderz, which has been your most memorable Red Army match?
Unless you’ve secured your castle, memorable matches can quickly be replaced by deep regret. Jens and Richard at
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“It has to be Westville last year. We played at home and won 8-2. Mr Swart, who was our coach and is now the deputy headmaster, co-curricular, always spoke about ebbs and flows of sports – and this was definitely the highest point of our season.
“As I mentioned, we played on our home pitch, Pape’s Astro, and everything just seemed to fall into place – we took the majority of our chances and controlled possession for very long periods of the game. It was a very strong Westville side at the time and that’s what made it such a memorable victory.”
Westville versus Red Army is always a massive contest. A couple of years ago, the 2015 Maritzburg College Reunion Saturday, outstanding Westville captain Ryan Bradfield led his side to a memorable win over yet another very good Red Army squad.
As I write, I vividly recall the disappointment etched on the faces of that particular MC first side as they trooped off Pape’s. Andre and his grade 12’s of the Red Army Class of 2018 are indeed fortunate to have experienced a diametrically different outcome to their red-letter day.
And this year, at Westville, director of hockey and first team coach Cam Mackay’s posse of high-calibre players scored one of the rare 2018 victories over College’s star-studded Red Army, so Andre’s favourite game – placed in all these contexts – indicates just how well coach Brandon Swart and his Red Army’s plans came together in the 8-2 of 2017.
And on the cricket front?
“I started playing cricket at the end of my grade 10 year, in 2016, I think I have approximately 46 caps for the 1st team. When I first started out I was very weak and didn’t understand my game very well. With all the coaching and experience, though, I have developed good game plans and now am able to bat longer periods and absorb pressure better. I have also developed lots on the mental side of cricket and feel I am a lot more positive than when I first started.”
In first XI cricket terms, the match Braderz signals as extra-special can also be placed in context of the calibre of the opposition. St Stithians College cricket, under the direction of Wim Jansen, have held sway in South African schoolboy cricket over a number of cricket seasons in these early years of the 21st Century.
“Yes, my most memorable first XI cricket match has to be beating St Stithians on the first day of Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week last year on Goldstones.
Maritzburg College first XI captain and wicketkeeper/batsman Andre Bradford’s catch behind has clearly found favour with Jared Campbell (left) and Brynley Noble.
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“We bowled first and got St Stithians for 149. The wicket was quite grassy, so even batting second wasn’t the easiest but the top order batted well to chase it down and win by 6 wickets. At the time Saints were regarded as being number 1 in the country and this was a very good result for us. I’ll never forget that game.”
So where did the Captain Dre cricket journey begin?
“As in hockey, I also started playing cricket when I was about 7 years old. Chris Anderson was my private coach for many years as I grew up and he helped me develop my technical skills.
“Recently, Doug Watson (a recent MC cricket director, first XI and latterly HP coach) has had a huge impact on my cricketing skills. Also having played at a very high level, Mr Watson’s knowledge of the game and understanding of what works and what can be improved, has been very beneficial to me. He helped me to focus on and understand the mental side of all sports.
“Also, (current first XI head coach and MIC cricket) Dave Pryke, has been a big influence on me and has been very supportive and positive for the past two years of 1st team cricket. He has also really helped me to grow my leadership abilities and is always there to bounce ideas off.”
A CAPTAIN’S ULTIMATE HIGH: Andre Bradford after leading the 2018 Maritzburg College first XI to an historic innings defeat of Michaelhouse in the 2,5 day first term match on Goldstones.
* The knowledge gained in Prykie’s long first-class career has certainly been invaluable to MC first XI cricket in the relatively short time he has been working at his alma mater. Indeed, the first XI management team of head coach Prykie, his assistant Kevin Smith (also MC director of rugby and a prominent MC cricketer in his day), Ellie Pryke the team manager (that husband – the head coach- and wife- the manager – combination is surely unique in SA schoolboy cricket), and biokineticist/conditioning coach Jason Greef is one of the major elements in the hugely talented 2018 team’s success.
I’ve posed the following question in previous KZN10.com feature articles – and I will always pose it to the boy interviewed, it’s that important… – ‘Andre, has the support of family and friends also been a major boost in the good times (making a provincial or SA team for example) and the bad (injuries and illness for example) that are inevitable in every sportsman’s career?’
“Fortunately I come from a very supportive family, Mr Cook. I struggle to remember a game where my parents have not been there to watch. I think at times I take this for granted but it really does make a big difference. My family have never pushed me into anything and always support my decisions and provide all the help they can. None of my success would have been possible without them.
Your mom and dad have watched every game… braved the heat and the cold… You owe them a treat. There are so many options right here at https://www.fordoun.com/
“My dad (Michel) is someone I can always go to, bounce ideas off and just talk in general about my games and the what-ifs moments. I haven’t had many serious injuries yet, thankfully, but my mom (Gail) has always been there to help me when I’ve been sick, which I’ll always be grateful for.
“My brothers (Paul and Jacques) have also had a huge influence on my sports. I spent most of my childhood playing ball games with them and ‘making’ them throw-down to me or hit at me for long hours.”
Yup – you’ve said it Andre, just about every schoolboy sportsman – whether he plays E’s, F’s and G’s or A’s, B’s and C’s owes much to those who support him.
KZN10.com wishes you everything of the best for the rest of 2018 and the future.
One thing’s for sure – work ethic will not be an Andre Bradford problem.
Andre Bradford off the field? Go to https://kzn10.com/maritzburg-colleges-andre-bradford-in-20-seconds/
Explore Maritzburg College the school at maritzburgcollege.co.za/
Hilton’s McMullen: Making the big jump from school cricket
THE 2017 Hilton College first XI cricket captain Brandon McMullen is the kind of guy who quietly goes about his business, preferring to let his actions do the talking – and they sure are.
Intent on pursuing his passion, the young South African ventured to Scotland this year and it’s paying off.
Brandon, great to have you on KZN10.com, what has been your experience of Scottish cricket so far?
“Thanks for interviewing me, Mr Cook, it’s quite a surprise and much appreciated. My experience of Scottish cricket so far has been excellent, the cricket standard and the way the Scots go about their cricket is really good.
Brandon McMullen raises the bat after reaching three figures.
“What makes the standard so good is that many Scotland international cricketers play in the league I am a part of, which makes scoring runs and taking wickets that much more competitive.”
What teams are you playing or training with and what has been your reception by Scottish cricketers and the general public. Where are you living re city or town?
“I am playing for Stirling County Cricket Club, which is in the Western Premier League in Scotland. The Scots are awesome people and have made my stay in Scotland that much better, they have made me feel really welcome into their social and cricketing circles. I am staying in the city of Stirling which is situated between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
“The Scots take great pride in their cricket and always have a competitive and winning mentality, which I love because I am a very competitive person and love to win!
“The standard in the Premier League is very high; this is due to the international players that play in it.
“The likes of former Scotland captains Richie Berrington and Preston Mommsen, the former Hilton College captain and outstanding batsman, play in the league, which gives the league that edge of a higher standard.
Former Hilton College and Scotland captain Preston Mommsen .
“I have been playing for the Western Warriors, which is regional cricket in Scotland, they are trying to push and class it as List A cricket next year, it is cricket just below the international status so all the Scotland players play in it, as it is like playing List A cricket.”
Your individual successes? I hear top of the Scotland league averages batting and bowling. Is there a club league and a provincial competition?
“I am in the West Premier League, but there is also a national league called the Scottish Cup, which is a knockout competition, and various T20 competitions.
“This season, so far, has been very successful for me. I have performed really well in all competitions.
“In all competitions I have scored 748 runs at an average of 47 with 7 fifties and 1 hundred with a highest score of 127. Bowling in all competitions I have netted 29 wickets at an average of 14.8 with an economy of 3.1 and best bowling figures of 5 for 25 in 10 overs.”
McMullen the economical wicket-taker.
Phew! That is impressive indeed.
What was your reason behind choosing to go to Scotland cricket and do you feel you want to make a professional career out of cricket – what are your short, medium and long-term goals?
“The reason on going to Scotland was to better my cricket in experiencing new conditions and playing against different cricketers from around the world.
“Yes I do want to play cricket professionally, that has been my dream from when I was small. That is my lifelong goal – to play professional cricket.
“Short-term goals are just to get as much exposure and experience from playing a high level of cricket. Medium- and long-term goals are to play professional cricket and be the best player I can be!”
You captained Hilton in 2017 – It was a very good side – a few losses (the 102-run defeat by Maritzburg College on Goldstones in the first term (I think that might be a record MC winning margin vs HC) but with Dale Benkenstein as the first team coach I was astonished at the change in the side by the fourth term, the return match on Hart-Davis Oval where you guys subjected Maritzburg College – a strong side – to I think their biggest ever defeat by Hilton in history. To what extent did Dale’s influence have on the improvement in the first team, which has been amplified this year where they are arguably the best side in SA?
The 2017 Hilton College first XI with coach Dale Benkenstein and manager Sean Carlisle.
“Yes, captaining Hilton last year was a huge privilege, yes we were a different team in the fourth term, and how we went about our game was incredible – the boys did their jobs really well. And I believe we were the best side in SA last year too, and had a great season.
“And it is great to see the boys carrying on the success from last year into this year, staying on top of the pile again in SA – and the boys will hopefully remain on top by the end of the year to show the country the dominance of Hilton 1st team cricket in the last two years.
“To be on top for two years running will be a great achievement.
“Mr Benkenstein had a huge impact on us boys of Hilton – as a team – and certainly me as the captain. His cool, calm mind-set helped us as a team to play so well together in that fourth term, his countless hours he spent on us, there are no words to describe it.
“Not only his throwing so many balls in training but the way he prepped us mentally was nothing short of remarkable, he is a true role model and spectacular coach, he changed a good schoolboy team into a world-class schoolboy team last year.
“As the captain he let me do my thing and never interfered, he gave me all the advice I needed and I couldn’t have asked of anything better. He made us play as a team and not individuals and I thank Mr Benkenstein for all he has done for me!”
The classic strokeplay of Brandon McMullen was learnt under expert tutelage on the fields of Hilton College.
You had an excellent 2017 year for Hilton College with bat and ball – captaining the side very well – and apart from the emphatic win over Maritzburg College on the Jack Hart-Davis Cricket Oval in that momentous fourth term, also a more-than comfortable fourth term win on the Hart Davis over traditional rivals Michaelhouse, as well as a T20 rout of St Charles in the fourth term after they had shocked you in the Coca-Cola KZN Inland leg T20 semi-finals at the Saints Oval in the first term of 2017.
Did you enjoy captaining the side? Was the spirit in a young team – now doing so well – particularly good? Did the captaincy bring out the best in you as a player, as an all-rounder? And how would you describe yourself as an all-rounder? A bowler batsman? Your seam and swing bowling last year was outstanding and you had a reputation as a partnership breaker – I think you had among the best bowling averages in the KZN Inland province and could always be relied on with the bat, particularly when your team really needed you.
Making the batsman play is a hallmark of Brandon McMullen the swing and seam bowler.
Then there was your KZN Inland selection, an achievement in itself as several very good players never made the side, and playing at Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week in Johannesburg last December etc. etc.
“Thank you very much for those kind words Mr Cook. Yes, there are definitely some unforgettable memories from last year as captain.
“Captaining Hilton College was a huge honour and privilege, I loved captaining the team, the boys got the best out of me. They were so easy to work with. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to be a part of than last year’s side.
“The boys were incredible on and off the field, the laughs and banter around the Hart Davis… It was the best time of my life. And I believe this is why we were so successful. Being captain of Hilton was a dream come true.
A batsman without a secure defence is not going to last long.
“Yes I do believe having a young team in 2017 was a great thing, I say this because we as the matrics were a young bunch of boys too and with a younger team we could relate to each other better, which brought out the best in each other’s strengths.
“And I must say that it’s great to see the boys this year doing so well, most of whom were a part of last year’s team, and I’m sure you can see how good the younger guys from last year’s team have become, have gained experience and even more important, are using it to their advantage. I’m not at all surprised that they are again on top of the pile in SA in 2018.
“Yes I do believe that being captain did bring the best out of me on the cricket field. I say this because I feel like I’m always in the action, always thinking, and the sense of responsibility makes me play my best cricket and put together good performances for the team.
“I describe myself now as a batting all-rounder, a batter who bats 5 and opens the bowling, and this season in Scotland I have established myself and found out what my role is, and I believe that a batting all-rounder is how I describe myself.
Without depth and perception don’t set your sights on scoring freely.
“Yes I did play in the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week last year in Johannesburg and loved it. I also represented KZN Inland U19. I also played in the Cubs Franchise Week in Stellenbosch early this year, for Dolphins U19.”
Hilton College cricket through the age groups is definitely on a high this year – what do you put it down to? Is it a combination of the superb facilities, a hunger for cricket among the boys and coaches plus the school executive, a sense of pride in the cricket heritage Hilton carries, the support of parents, who always come out in their numbers every summer term Saturday, plus many Old Boys too, when they get a break in their schedule?
“It’s definitely a combination of all that, I believe. The support from the parents plays a huge role in the success of Hilton, the remarkable facilities at Hilton College are among the best in the world, a world-class coach in Mr Benkenstein, plus the outstanding cricket knowledge and experience of the likes of Mr Warren Kirsten, Mr Sean Carlisle, the fitness and conditioning professionals, Mr Schmidt and Mr Carey.
“These people have a huge impact and I believe it is a combination of these factors which have made Hilton College cricket the best in the country over the last two years. But at the same time one must never forget the hunger from all the Hilton College cricketers. Their love of cricket has played a huge role as to why Hilton this year are doing so well.
Every all-rounder needs to refresh and rejuvenate.
“Their urge to win is great to see – and seeing all the wins from all the Hilton College cricket teams across the board shows a true reflection of the foundations put in place all the way from U14’s to the 1st team.”
Your parents have been great supporters of your cricket, always present at matches – please say what that means to you? Plus anyone else who has had an influence on your cricket and life in general? What primary school were you at? And has cricket always been your first love?
“My dad Paul and my brother Grayson have had a huge impact on my cricket and in my life, they have taught and coached me how to play this awesome game and I would not be where I am today without them, and I would like to say that I am truly thankful for what you two have done for me.
“Glynis, my stepmom, she has been on the side supporting me through the years of junior school and high school when she had the chance, she would be on the side watching and supporting me through the good and through the bad. Thank you Glyn.
“My gran Shirley is a role model of mine. My family is everything to me, they mean the world to me and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them by my side.
A successful captain needs great communication skills.
“I went to Clifton Prep in Durban, and yes, cricket… from when I first held a cricket bat and ball… has always been, and will always be, my first love.”
Wow, it is wonderful to see such appreciation for family. Brandon I have really, seriously, enjoyed this. Anything else you would like to add?
“Thanks again Mr Cook, it was such a surprise hearing from you. I would like to say to anybody else wanting to play abroad, Scotland is a great place to play cricket, it will test your skills and test you mentally.
“I have a dream and I won’t stop dreaming until that dream becomes a reality.”
KZN10.com will be watching your progress, Brandon, please keep in touch.
The X-Factor of Hilton College’s Gareth Schreuder
HILTON College and Sharks U18 scrumhalf Gareth Schreuder can never be accused of not believing in himself – it’s not arrogance, it’s a self-belief that should take him far.
Left out of the KZN Sharks U18 Craven Week team and the Sharks U18 Academy Week side, his omission disappointed many – not least the bundle of energy and rugby skill that is the irrepressible Schreuder – but fate found fortune – sadly at the expense of SA Schools 2017 scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse of Glenwood (ligament in the Maritzburg College end-second term game on Dixons) – and the Hilton number 9 took his chance.
KZN10.com contacted the HC first XV talisman and asked him about the season plus the upcoming cricket third-fourth term that holds much in store for the hugely talented wicketkeeper batsman.
Feature photo by Adriaan Beukes: Hilton College scrumhalf Gareth Schreuder launches a place-kick.
Gareth, let’s first talk rugby – and more recently, Craven Week: It was terribly sad for Jaden, who is a wonderful scrumhalf – in my book you and Jaden were the standout number 9’s in KZN schoolboy rugby this year – but after the intense disappointment of Craven and Academy omission, was it difficult to keep your spirits up, particularly as you had given everything in the successful Hilton cause on Gilfillan Field and further afield?
“Yes it was very difficult and I really felt for Jaden who is an amazing player and sportsman [Jaden is also the Glenwood first XI cricket captain]. It was hard to keep my spirits high as I did give everything for Hilton but in the end I was very glad to get the call-up. It made me happy that all my hard work had finally paid off and now I could get provincial colours for a sport that I had worked very hard in and put a lot of time and effort into.”
Total commitment: Gareth Schreuder in the Paarl mud during his successful Craven Week for the Sharks.
So what was the Craven Week experience like?
“Our first two games were a great start. We played very exciting rugby even when the conditions were extremely tough. My personal standout moment was beating the Free State Cheetahs as it was a big game, a very tough game and to beat the boys from Grey College was a huge plus.
After the wet and muddy fields of Craven Week there is surely no better place one could hope to be.
“Dylan Pretorius was my flyhalf, a very talented player who was a joy to play with. He read the game very well, which took pressure off me to help make some crucial decisions.
“Playing in the last match of Craven Week is an honour that we as a team had achieved. It was always going to be a tough ask in that final match against Western Province and the conditions we had to play in did not help us at all. It is hard to even explain the conditions, it was so slippery underfoot it almost felt like you were playing on an ice-rink. WP were definitely the better team on the day.”
Hilton College’s match-winning scrumhalf Gareth Schreuder kicks at goal for the Sharks during Coca-Cola Craven Week.
The thrill of playing at Craven Week is something that very few schoolboy rugby players get to experience. What were the biggest takeaways for you?
“The atmosphere was electrifying, the crowds, it was an absolute privilege to be able to be part of it. The players that I was playing with and against; it was really at the top level of schoolboy rugby in SA and I am so grateful that I got this amazing opportunity.”
Going back to the domestic school season, one of the highlights for me was seeing you, Gareth, and Jaden of Glenwood, producing great scrumhalf performances. Your ability to read the game, choose the right options and implement them with your repertoire of skills – your tactical kicking game, your service to your flyhalf from the base of the scrums and lineouts, your ability to break the line – what would you say were your and Hilton’s best matches against the KZN sides?
You can’t do it on your own.
“As a team I think the two most remarkable games were holding our lines in the encounter against Kearsney away from home, which meant a lot to the boys, and beating Maritzburg College on Goldstones. To win on Goldstones is something that few Hilton College first teams have achieved and it is something that the team will never forget.
“Personally, I believe the best game that I had was the one against College on Goldstones. It was a day when everything worked, I got a few good bounces and the team had a really good game, which made me look even better.”
The double over long-time friendly (off the field yes!) foes Michaelhouse – I watched both, what a thrill those occasions are – the 200th match on Graeme Gilfillan Field at Hilton that marked the number of times Hilton and Michaelhouse firsts have met – I videoed you and the boys as you came out of the change room and prepared to take the field through the tunnel in front of an audience of thousands – and the landmark last match of celebrated World Cup final referee Craig Joubert – you were as usual revving the boys up, you gave my smartphone a wink you looked so relaxed – do you love the big occasion?
“I absolutely love the big stage! The more people the better; I always want to take the kick in the last minute to win a game in front of thousands of people, I love the pressure and I think I can be a player that plays better under pressure conditions.”
From what I have seen, your goal kicking this year has been phenomenal. You seem so confident, so collected in lining up the kick, the focus, the concentration – how do you block out the moment and its match implications and just get on with slotting the ball between the posts?
The man for all seasons: Gareth Schreuder lines it up for Hilton College.
“I think I ended up with a kicking conversion rate of 87% over the season. When I line up a kick I imagine two walls from me to the posts and block everything else out.”
Has confidence always been with you? Those backyard games in your early years, what is it about the Gareth Schreuder make-up that gives the impression, whether you are larking about playing touch with mates or on the Big Stage, it’s one and the same?
“I just love playing sport; that is where I get my most enjoyment and happiness. I wish I could say the same about the classroom! But yes, I would say that confidence has always been with me. I personally believe that if you don’t back yourself then nobody else will – and that is something I have believed in since I was a young boy playing in the backyard.”
You definitely are a team man – I would guess probably the life and soul on and off the field. Do you love the team aspect, the camaraderie of team sport that at the same time gives you the freedom to express your individuality?
Gareth Schreuder man of the match for Hilton College first XI…Coke T20 Finals in Pretoria.
“It is always the team first, no matter what. I love being in the team environment. From sitting eating lunch together and talking nonsense to giving it everything on a Saturday, I absolutely love every moment being with the team.”
Moving on to your cricket now, I was beyond impressed with your wicket-keeping skills in the first school term – an economy of movement, great feet, safe-as-houses-hands – I don’t think I saw you drop a throw-in, a catch behind, a stumping, anything. Hilton College first XI have an outstanding bowling attack of depth and variety – off-spinner Michael Sclanders, leg-spinner and captain James Ritchie, the young leg-spinner Colby Dyer, the left-arm orthodox Michael Frost, the seam of Tom Dixon, the at-times extreme pace of Michael Booth and John Turner – that’s a lot to deal with, yet you seemed to handle whatever wicket-keeping challenge presented with uncommon aplomb. But especially the spinners, do you love standing up to probably the best, most varied spin attack in SA schoolboy cricket?
“Yes, the Hilton College first XI spinners make it look easy for me. They are very, very good spinners and personally I would not want to walk out and face them.”
What is it about keeping wicket that you enjoy most?
“I just love being in the action all the time, sitting under the trees and at cow corner is not something that I have an interest in, I always want to be close to the action and be able to make a difference and have that X-Factor.”
Gareth Schreuder and Robbie McGaw celebrate fast bowler John Turner’s wicket in the Coke T20 final at Tuks in Pretoria.
Photo: Gallo
It has indeed been a pleasure to watch the X-Factor that is Gareth Schreuder the cricketer this year. Two examples that immediately spring to mind are the two catches and two stumpings plus 42 with the bat against Michaelhouse in the KZN Inland final of the Coke T20 competition, as well as the spring-heeled running between the wickets and adept ball placement in scoring 49 off 32 balls to beat Clifton College in the Coke T20 Dolphins franchise final.
When I look back at the remarkable improvement in Hilton College first XI cricket, one question worth asking is to what extent has this been due to coach Dale Benkenstein?
Clear, comfortable eyesight is the first requirement of a wicketkeeper.
“Mr Benkenstein has a huge influence on all us players. He is a major role model to us, so we all look up to him for advice. He comes with great energy and experience, which he passes on to us. His knowledge has helped us be successful as a team. On a personal level, Mr Benkenstein has played a huge role in my cricket, not only with my skills but also the mental side to cricket and how I could get better and benefit myself.”
Gareth, you obviously have high hopes for KZN Inland cricket selection, and with it the opportunity to play in the Khaya Majola Week in December – is making SA Schools your big dream as your illustrious school career closes out?
“Yes, most certainly it is. Playing for SA Schools is something that I have dreamt about since the days of playing cricket down the passage with my mom shouting at us to not break the windows.”
Gareth Schreuder the batsman.
Photo: Greg Schreuder
And what of the Gareth Schreuder sporting future? Have you got plans or is it all in the possible options stage and still time to make a final decision?
“I haven’t made my final decision quite yet as I have a choice, but most of all I really hope that I can make a good choice and make sport my job.”
I have met your dad Greg at Hilton cricket and rugby matches this year. What struck me is his enthusiasm and passion for sport. Greg is a very good photographer too. What does his support mean to you?
“My dad is a huge role model to me and if it wasn’t for him I definitely wouldn’t be the sportsman I am today. The support he has given me has been remarkable and I truly am so grateful for all he has done for me.”
Gareth Schreuder Hilton College first XI wicketkeeper.
Photo: Greg Schreuder
Finally, what is it about Hilton College, what has the school taught you and what will you take with you, as you venture beyond the playing fields of Hart-Davis Oval and Graeme Gilfillan Field, not to forget the classroom and general school life?
“Hilton has taught me many lessons but an important one is that you learn to understand people a lot better, as you are always with them at the school.”
Connect & communicate. A rugby 9 and 10 or a spinner and his wicketkeeper… they always find their way.
Thanks Gareth, I hope I have covered all the bases.
KZN10.com is a massive fan of the Schreuder X-Factor. Best wishes for the third/fourth term cricket and beyond.
Shedders’ holiday High Performance cricket camps a game-changer
ANDREW Shedlock has taken the art of cricket coaching to the next level. Two High Performance Shedders Cricket Academy camps, to be held in Durban North from 25 to 28 June and 9 to 12 July could be the turning point in KZN schoolboy cricketers’ lives. Critically, in my opinion, each camp is limited to a maximum 20 boys.
If I was age 13 to 17 again this would have been the catalyst in turning a (so-I’m-still-told) talented top-order batsman with a sound technique (thanks to Digby Rhodes, Vince van der Bijl and others) into a far better batter.
Although I captained the Maritzburg College first XI and made some runs, as a perfectionist I found myself so frustrated with the technical and mental aspects of surely – next to golf – one of the most complex ball sports around. The frustration at knowing I was not making any progress in taking my game to the next level resulted in (later much-regretted) giving up the game a couple of years post-school.
Enough of that. Coming across the Shedders ad, the first instinct was to have a look, as Andrew Shedlock and I go back 42 years, as opponents and friends. So what has Shedders got on the menu, I thought. Well, it blew me away.
Shedders, a University of Stellenbosch sports science graduate and internationally respected coach and cricket-specific fitness and conditioning consultant with the CV to prove it, has in my opinion nailed down the key to cricket success.
Featured image: Shedders has worked with legends of the game. Here’s Shedders with Sri Lanka cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara, the elegant left-hander and wicketkeeper who scored a total of 28 000 runs for his country across all formats and retired with a Test average of 57.40. Shedders’ direct contact with some of the world’s best cricketers has been of enormous practical benefit to his coaching skill set.
Apart from comprehensive batting and bowling sessions with top-class professional coaches that on its own will establish a solid platform for the upcoming cricket season (starting as early as the third term in KZN), Shedders has also teamed up with Durban North-based optometrist Glen Nugent and sports fitness and talent identification educationist eta College in offering a three-pronged approach to his camps.
I phoned him, wanting to know more.
“Thanks Jono, always good to chat. I’ll never forget that U13A game on Leeches at Maritzburg College when you were College skipper and I was DHS captain. Great memories.”
A deep thinker on the game, Shedders is constantly looking for the edge that turns “good enough” into best. The research and success-in-practice of Shedders’ internationally-acclaimed fellow University of Stellenbosch sports science graduate Dr Sherylle Calder’s EyeGym programme inspired one section of the three-pronged content of the upcoming camps. Dr Calder pinpointed Visual Intelligence training as a key tool in making a better player.
Shedders says, “a batsman’s ability in making the transition from seeing the ball to immediately processing that split-second information into employing the correct cricket stroke can make or break an innings. This is just one aspect of transferring vision into decision.”
“Sherylle worked with the 2003 World Cup-winning Australian cricket side, as well as David Miller in enhancing performance and clearly Dave and the Aussies reaped the rewards, as did the England (2003) and Springbok (2007) Rugby World Cup-winning players.”
Known for his get-in-the-trenches work ethic, one of the Andrew ‘Shedders’ Shedlock mottoes is: “Cricket is a verb not a noun so get training!”
“I’ve identified the much-talked-about but little understood hand-eye co-ordination aspect as one of the keys to unlocking the mysteries behind why talented KZN high school cricketers struggle to deliver consistent performances. I constantly hear things like ‘you can’t teach it, you’ve either got it or you haven’t’, and ‘he’s naturally gifted’. My response? A cricketer as gifted as David Miller benefited from visual intelligence training, Dave saying that it provided him with the extra edge to perform at a high level. Every cricketer, be it a batsman, bowler, wicketkeeper or fielder, constantly searches for consistency. That’s why I see this aspect as a vital function of the camps.”
To this end, the Shedders cricket camps’ optometrist, Glen Nugent, will conduct an eye and vision assessment for each player and provide the boys with follow-up cricket-specific exercises and drills to work on.
Fitness is another key indicator of success or failure. The ability to concentrate without distraction in turning a quality 50 into a match-winning hundred… or converting a useful 3-fer into a match-deciding fifer can, in my opinion, be best-judged by whether a schoolboy has the mental and physical stamina to maintain best-practice and accuracy whatever the outside influences and circumstances may be.
Shedders says this is where eta (exercise training academy) step into the camp package: “eta will conduct fitness testing services to assess current athletic abilities and to identify physical attributes and areas in need of improvement. Baseline fitness testing allows for the setting of goals and testing at regular intervals. It helps track a cricketer’s progress towards those goals.”
The fitness assessments/tests to be completed will include:
* Functional Movement Screening
* Body Composition Assessments
* Flexibility Assessments
*Agility Assessments
* Power and Speed Assessments
* Balance and Hand/Eye Co-ordination Assessments
* Power and Speed Assessments
* Cardio-respiratory Assessments
* Muscle Strength/Endurance Assessments
*Nutritional/Dietary Assessments
Clearly there is not going to be much idle time for the camps’ young cricketers. No doubt there wasn’t much idle time for a just-out-of-school Hashim Amla when Shedders was head coach of the Dolphins Cricket Academy. Hashim Amla is quoted as saying that Shedders is a coach who had a positive influence on his cricket career.
To sum up: I’ve seen Shedders in action – no “only-observe-from-the-sidelines” coach, he’s not afraid to get in the trenches. Ask Jonty Rhodes and Lance Klusener, to whom Shedders must have each pitched a thousand-plus throw-downs during his time with the Dolphins.
Shedders has the sports science background, world-level sports-playing (he’s also a former Springbok water polo player) and international cricket title-winning experience to appreciate what it takes to succeed.
Shedders is the kind of guy I’d go to war with. He’s a leader who is never afraid to push the boundaries harder and further in every sphere of cricket excellence.
My only regret about Shedders? His June/July cricket camps weren’t around when Jono Cook the aspirant teenage cricketer needed them. After a good first term, I had a shocking fourth term.
I’m convinced it would’ve been different if Shedders’ camps had been around in my time.
Unlike me, today’s KZN high school cricketers have got that opportunity.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
LIMITED TO 20 BOYS PER CAMP
Camp 1
Mon 25th to Thurs 28th June
Camp 2
Mon 9th to Thurs 12th July
Ages: 13 to 17
Time: 2pm to 4.30pm daily
Venue: Shedders Cricket Academy Durban North
Contact Shedders at 083 791 7646
or shedders@worldonline.co.za