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All-Time Test match cricket XI’s and an All-Time KZN Schools Test match XI
How do you pick the ultimate Test cricket team from a cast of incredibly talented performers that must run into the hundreds who have excelled over the ages?
To coincide with the World Test Championship final that is currently taking place between India and New Zealand in Southampton, former England opening batsman and media pundit Geoffrey Boycott had a go in a recent article in The Telegraph and backed up his reasons why.
Feature photo: Gary Sobers of the West Indies. Supremely gifted all-rounder.
Geoff did not include one South African in his two teams, so I had a go at picking an All-Time SA Test match XI as well as two All-Time KZN Schools XI’s.
Geoff picked two match-day squads of 12 for an imaginary “Ultimate Test Match of Test Matches” and had to look at the candidates from all countries as well as the different eras. The 11 ultimately chosen out of the 12 would depend on the pitch – to opt for two spinners or one. He opted to not consider any current players.
And in his pragmatic way, Geoff made the following crucial distinction, which I think is the only way to compare players whose careers can be more than 100 years apart: “It is unfair to judge players only on figures. They all have great numbers, so to be fair I judge them against contemporaries from their own eras.” I tried to do the same with my teams.
When one considers that the likes of Barry Richards, Graeme Pollock, Mike Procter, Ian Botham, Hashim Amla, Curtly Ambrose, Michael Holding and Kapil Dev didn’t get the nod in either of Geoff’s squads of 12, you can see the embarrassment of riches available.
Don Bradman… batting colossus.
Geoffrey’s Ultimate Test Team One
Opening batsmen (1) Jack Hobbs and (2) Herbert Sutcliffe: “The finest opening pair in history,” says Geoff. The pair opened the batting for England a total of 38 times and their average number of runs scored per innings was 85.81 before a wicket fell. No Test match opening pair has ever done better than that, says Geoff. “To get that sort of start – on average – is like winning the pools.”
3. Don Bradman (Australia, captain): “A run scorer, a unique genius who was twice as good as the rest of us and is captain of this team. There is nothing else to add.”
4. George Headley (West Indies): Headley only played in 22 Test matches over a 10-year period yet was able to peel off 10 Test match centuries. “The Aussies dubbed him the black Bradman,” says Geoff.
5. Sachin Tendulkar (India): “Technically superb, with the performances to match against all types of bowling,” says Geoff. “Mastered his era and handled the pressure of expectation from India’s fanatical supporters.”
6. Gary Sobers (West Indies): Significantly, Geoff describes this ultimate all-rounder as the best batsman he has ever seen. And apart from his batting, “He [Sobers] was originally selected as an orthodox left-arm spinner but later in his career bowled left-arm lively swing which could be devastating. A great catcher anywhere close in.”
7. Alan Knott (England): “Lovely hands. Missed very little,” says Geoff. “I judge wicketkeepers on what they miss, not just how many they catch. How many catches or stumpings a gloveman takes is dependent on how many catches and stumpings the bowlers create. Got important runs when his team was in trouble, too.”
8. Shane Warne (Australia): “Natural wicket taker with amazing control,” says Geoff. “Generated a huge amount of spin with very, very few bad balls. Before he hurt his shoulder his flipper was devastating.”
9. Jim Laker (England): “For balance, I want a spinner turning the ball the other way. If it spun, Laker [an off-spinner] bowled teams out. He didn’t bowl the doosra because he didn’t need it. On dry turning pitches or a wet pitch that was drying he was nigh-on unplayable. On flat pitches you still couldn’t get after him.”
10. Sydney (SF) Barnes (England): As Geoff says, Surrey and England wicketkeeper Herbert Strudwick describes Barnes thus: “He was the best I ever kept to. He sent down something different each ball and he could turn it either way in remarkable fashion.” The great Australian batsman Clem Hill said: “On a perfect pitch Barnes could swing the ball late, in and out, and spin it.”
11. Malcolm Marshall (West Indies): “Bowled very fast, with movement,” says Geoff. “Could and did sometimes cut his pace down and seam the ball around at a lively pace within himself. On subcontinent pitches he was highly successful because he was skiddy without losing pace. Tall guys banging it in on those pitches can have the life sucked out of the delivery.”
12. Dennis Lillee (Australia): “Very fast, very smart, very skilful – and he had a big heart,” says Geoff. “Wonderful control – a complete fast bowler.”
WG Grace… stuff of legends.
Geoffrey’s Ultimate Test Team Two
1. WG Grace (England): “Some people could say Grace played in an era of underarm bowling that evolved to round-arm bowling. But on poor pitches open to the British weather, the ball often jumped up at your face or shot along the deck! He took 3 000 first-class wickets and scored 54 896 runs with 126 hundreds. He was the first man to score 100 hundreds. Compare his deeds with his contemporaries and he was way above anyone else. He was a natural athlete and in 1866 won the National 440 yards title and two days later scored 244 not out for Gloucester against Surrey at the Oval.”
2. Len Hutton (England): “A great England and Yorkshire batsman but Hobbs and Sutcliffe as a pair have to play together, so Len opens the batting with WG,” says Geoff.
3. Viv Richards (West Indies): “The best at number 3 but even he can’t be above Bradman in the other XI,” says Geoff. “Brutal, devastating, a tremendous competitor who was a great of his era. A giant in a fantastic team.”
4. Wally Hammond (England): “Hammond and Bradman didn’t get on during the 1946 friendship tour of Australia,” says Geoff. “You can’t have two players who hate each other causing disunity, so I’ve separated them. Hammond took 700 first-class wickets bowling medium pace and was a great slip catcher. He scored 167 centuries and in 1928-29 he outscored Bradman in Australia.”
5. Brian Lara (West Indies): “A wonderful stroke player,” says Geoff. “Making the world Test match record score of 375 for West Indies vs England in 1994 would be the supreme achievement for most batsmen, but to do it twice is mind blowing – and that’s what he did when he made 400 not out in 2004. He also scored the highest individual score in first-class cricket – 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994 – and from only 427 balls. Wow. Every cricketer would be happy to have just one of those records. Excellent judge of length and a huge range of shots.”
6. Imran Khan (Pakistan, captain): “Anyone who can handle the politics, tempestuous nature and talent of a team of Pakistani players has to be outstanding at handling people. A fast bowler who was a great exponent of reverse swing on dry or low slow pitches, he also batted well. Excellent all-rounder, a great leader of men.”
Imran Khan of Pakistan… a remarkable leader and gifted all-rounder.
7. Adam Gilchrist (Australia): “Alan Knott was a better wicketkeeper but Gilchrist’s glovework was good enough. For a stumper, his batting was on another planet,” says Geoff. “Changed the role of keepers and a long line of fine keeper-batters have followed trying to emulate him.”
8. Bill O’Reilly (Australia): “Very tall, and a faster-than-normal wrist spinner,” says Geoff. “He didn’t toss it up much but created enormous pressure on batsmen by giving little to hit. Bradman said Bill O’Reilly was the best bowler he ever faced and was better than Barnes because he could bowl every ball that Barnes bowled, plus the googly. Barnes’s reply was, “I never needed it.” Barnes was a bit faster than Bill and swung the ball too, which Bill didn’t do much.”
9. Wasim Akram (Pakistan): “It is handy to have left-arm seam from a different angle,” says Geoff. “A tall man, he generated lots of pace and awkward bounce. Swung the new ball and could reverse swing the old ball devastatingly.”
10. Harold Larwood (England): “I must have Larwood in the opposition,” says Geoff. “Why? If Bradman is allowed to play his best, he can bat his side into a winning position. The only man to have cut Bradman down to half size was Larwood in the 1932-33 series in Australia. Larwood unsettled Bradman and also did some psychological damage to the great player because after that series they didn’t speak. There was too much feeling. It was personal. And regardless of all that, he was very fast and very accurate.”
11. Freddie Trueman (England): “Hardly ever got injured and took 307 Test wickets at 21.57 with a strike rate of 49, which is tremendous,” says Geoff. “Fred was not selected for 29 Tests because the ‘Establishment’ at that time were wary of characters. [England captain] Peter May said at the end of a long tiring day in the field Fred was the one bowler he could call on to come back and do the business.”
12. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka): “Lovely lad and very likeable but my professional opinion is he threw it with that action. Anyway, I have to accept the ICC cleared it, so with his wickets and match-winning performances he has to be in. Great skill and huge spin either way with the doosra. Wonderful to watch.”
Brian Lara on reaching 400 not out in a Test match against England.
I then decided to have a go at picking an All-Time South Africa Test match XI and this is what I came up with. Please note that I didn’t spend hours on this, researching reports, averages and the like, so it is purely a squad of 12 that pretty much immediately came to mind. No doubt I probably have forgotten a player or two.
Possible All-Time SA Test match squad of 12
1 Barry Richards
2 Graeme Smith (captain)
3 Hashim Amla
4 Graeme Pollock
5 Jacques Kallis
6 AB de Villiers (wicketkeeper)
7 Shaun Pollock
8 Mike Procter
9 Hugh Tayfield
10 Dale Steyn
11 Alan Donald
12 Imran Tahir
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* The Test match squads of 12 below are by no means the definitive squads either, as there have been so many outstanding players from our KZN schools. It was just a quick thumb suck. Guaranteed I have forgotten a name for a minute and left someone out.
Possible All-Time KZN Schools squad of 12
1 Barry Richards (DHS)
2 Jackie McGlew (Maritzburg College, captain)
3 Hashim Amla (DHS)
4 Kevin Pietersen (Maritzburg College)
5 Robin Smith (Northlands, now Northwood)
6 Lee Irvine wicketkeeper (DHS)
7 Shaun Pollock (Northlands, now Northwood)
8 Mike Procter (Hilton College)
9 Keshav Maharaj (Northwood
10 Hugh Tayfield (DHS)
11 Lungi Ngidi (Hilton College)
12 Richard Snell (DHS)
And I would love to see them play a Test match against this KZN Schools squad, which is:
1 Chris Smith (Northlands, now Northwood)
2 Trevor Goddard (DHS)
3 Wayne Madsen (Kearsney College)
4 Roy McLean (Hilton College)
5 Dale Benkenstein (Michaelhouse, captain)
6 Jonty Rhodes (Maritzburg College)
7 David Miller (Maritzburg College)
8 Trevor Madsen (Glenwood, wicketkeeper)
9 Richard McGlashan (Beachwood, now Northwood)
10 Trevor Packer (Alexandra)
11 Daryn Dupavillon (Maritzburg College)
12 Derek Crookes (Hilton College)
13 Errol Stewart (Westville)
I bet there are names I have forgotten. It is just a team I came up with. I tried not to include players I have written about in recent years. They have got enough to contend with in these challenging times.
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Hilton/Michaelhouse: ‘The butterflies and excitement in the build-up…’
“I remember struggling to sleep, my mind racing and hands sweating days before Saturday. The butterflies and excitement in the build-up during the week of a first team match were that much more intense for a Hilton/Michaelhouse.
“I still get goosebumps when I hear Brothers in Arms, the song that played during Main Quad war-cries on the Friday night.”
Thomas van der Hoven feature photo: Michaelhouse in possession on Meadows in the 5 May 2018 clash.
It is a measure of the impact the Hilton/Michaelhouse matches have on the participants when one learns that the comment above comes from a man who played 56 Tests for the Springboks before his career was sadly cut short at the age of 28. None other than the Michaelhouse Class of 2008’s Patrick Jonathan Lambie.
Michaelhouse Old Boy Pat Lambie has vivid memories of the emotions inherent in House’s matches against Hilton.
Of the 202 Hilton/Michaelhouse first XV rugby matches that have been played so far (Hilton won the inaugural match 6-0 in 1904) the Michaelhouse lads have won 99 with Hilton having won 93 and 10 of the matches having been drawn.
The excellent Murray Staats article that appeared in the Meander Chronicle May/June 2019 edition also mentions the rather unique scenario that played out in 1987 when the scorelines in the 2 matches were 7-7 and 9-9.
In a Covid-free world. this past Saturday, 12 June 2021 would have been the 205th match between the Hilton College and Michaelhouse first XVs. Because of Covid, however, this past Saturday marked the 3rd successive cancellation of this hallmark biannual event on the KZN and SA schools rugby calendar.
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The last time the flagship rugby teams of Hilton and Michaelhouse met was on 15 June 2019 when Hilton prevailed 28-8 away on Meadows. Because of Covid the 2020 Hilton and Michaelhouse first teams never got the chance to experience what is a landmark event in the lives of everyone who has had the privilege of being a player in it over the last 118 years.
There was much hope and anticipation this year that the matches would take place – even if without spectators, which number in the thousands in a normal year.
Number 8 Nick Hatton leads the Hilton College 1st XV on to Reece-Edwards Field at Northwood on 8 May 2021.
Hilton, under the captaincy of number 8 and head of school Nick Hatton, had started the year with much promise, accounting for Northwood 31-6 away on 8 May in what, in recent times, was a late start to the season (because of Covid) before beating Durban High School (DHS) in convincing fashion 44-5 at home in their lone match on Gilfillan the following Saturday.
Then came the controversial call from government to ban school contact sports, despite government admitting that there was no evidence to suggest Covid was being transmitted during matches. Instead, government said, the virus was being spread outside the confines of the school grounds. Studies in Britain confirmed that there was no evidence to suggest Covid was being spread during matches.
Due to the delays in the school year and other Covid-related concerns, what would have been a very short season for Hilton anyway – just 7 matches were scheduled this year – has to date been cut down to the 2 matches already held. The matches that followed the DHS match – against Glenwood and Westville, which surely would have been hotly contested, were cancelled, as with this past Saturday’s Michaelhouse match.
There are still 2 matches left on the Hilton calendar, that against Kearsney College on 17 July and then Michaelhouse at home on 24 July in what would have been the return clash.
With the current Covid third wave issue, the prospects of these matches taking place appear almost nil. So for the second successive year, the two school’s premier rugby players will never know the thrill of being part of something that becomes a lifelong treasured memory for the participants.
As with Nick Hatton and Team Hilton, the disappointment for first XV fullback and captain Alexander Vermeulen and Team Michaelhouse must be profound.
Michaelhouse 1st XV captain and fullback Alexander Vermeulen leads his team onto Meadows vs Glenwood on 19 May 2021.
Michaelhouse managed 4 matches before the cancellation, beating Clifton 30-5 in Durban before edging home side Kearsney 26-24. Then came 2 narrow defeats, going down 17-10 at Westville before a 12-3 loss to Glenwood 4 days later in their lone home match on Meadows.
Men of House still have 2 matches left on the calendar, at home to St Charles College on 17 July and then the away match versus Hilton on 24 July.
Of course this current scenario encompasses all KZN school winter contact sports so there are thousands of boys (in the context of this story) missing out on an experience that, for many of their predecessors, led to treasured memories and lifelong friendships.
Indeed, when Old Boys of the KZN10 schools gather, their teams and match-ups of yesteryear often form the opening lines of conversation and before long the fond reminiscences are being swapped back and forth.
With the school sporting calendar so congested as it is; competing sports treasure their time to shine during their allocated time slots through the year, allied to academic priorities, it seems that even if the Covid situation were to improve rapidly it would be too late for thoughts of squeezing in a Hilton/Michaelhouse rugby fixture somewhere.
We are all poorer for it.
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The perils of press interviews on the young
Grand Slam-winning tennis star Andy Murray’s mother, Judy, makes some telling points in reflecting on how it feels as a parent when watching your child going through a difficult interview with media.
Feature photo: The then 19-year-old Andy Murray a picture of despair during a press interview, having lost at the 2006 French Open. AP
Most young sportspeople of exceptional talent are not necessarily prepared for the spotlight that comes outside the confines – or relative freedom – of the playing field. It is easy to be caught off-guard by an unexpected enquiry.
After all, as a child you first want to play, actually compete, and – hopefully – win. That is your focus; not being asked questions that can be tricky to answer.
And with the overwhelming focus of social media, those unexpected questions can lead to a long tail of comments by persons who (i) may not even know you and/or the circumstances, and/or (ii) do not have sufficient grasp of the issue to be in a position to comment with authority. But comment… some certainly will.
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Of the pressures on a young athlete, there is also the age-gap. Often those persons asking the questions or commenting on the responses are considerably older than the person in question (no pun intended). This can also lead to misunderstandings in what the young person being interviewed actually meant.
This Judy Murray passage from her article in this morning’s Telegraph warrants being stated in full:
“When you step into an interview room, there are so many potential pitfalls. If you’ve won, you’re excited and in danger of feeling so relaxed and happy that something slips out and gets you into trouble.
“It’s tougher, though, when you’ve lost. You’re much more likely to become upset or to bristle at a provocative question – and we all know that anger, tears, feuds and gossip make for good stories.
“The whole situation takes me back to when Andy was young and really struggled with the press-conference environment. He wanted to compete in big stadiums in front of huge crowds, not to be asked about whether his shorts were too big, or whether he should get a haircut, have a shave or smile more often.”
Remember, he was still a teenager; he just wanted to win matches. End of.
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Judy, who has a lot of experience in tennis as a player and coach herself, arranged for the then 19-year-old Andy to undergo a course in media training
“The idea was to help Andy deal with the attention, the adverse comments, and know which subjects to avoid. You’ve got a coach at that age, teaching you how to hit your shots and plan a match strategy, but few young players can afford a PR consultant as well.”
English media professional Jonathan Overend gave the young Andy (then 19) the best advice, whilst sharing a taxi, says Judy.
“Jonathan… made some great suggestions on how to handle press conferences and interviews,” says Judy.
“Speak about your tactics, how the weather was affecting play, and what the momentum switches were. Do the press conference on your terms. It was common sense but a real light-bulb moment.
“If you don’t want to bring emotions into the picture; then you can be more analytical. Instead of saying, ‘I’m upset because I lost’, say ‘I missed a chance at this moment’, or ‘I need to go away and work on such-and-such.’
“The other thing we [Judy and Andy] did was to watch press conferences of players who handle them really well.
“Andy Roddick and Roger Federer were two of them. They were so good at taking an awkward question and turning it around so that they could get their message across. They also used humour brilliantly. Yes, they were older, but that’s the best way to learn. Study those who do it well.”
Judy goes on to say that more attention should be focused on this aspect of the recognition that comes with sporting success.
“Being comfortable and confident in front of a microphone is so important. It’s just not the sort of thing that a young athlete is thinking about when they’re trying to establish themselves…”
*****
I didn’t realise quite how distinguished a career and life Sir Andy Murray’s mom has had. Google “Judy Murray tennis” and you will see in Wikipedia that she has done quite a bit. Judy actually wrote the article. Her piece was prompted by the decision of the world’s highest-paid female athlete, Naomi Osaka of tennis fame, to boycott press conferences. If needs be, Google and you will be up-to-speed with this ongoing saga.
DHS Old Boy Hashim Amla scores big for Surrey
London, the last week in April and the last week in May, have been good to the Durban High School Class of 2000’s Hashim Amla.
To close out the month of April, “The Mighty Hash” hit an unbeaten double hundred for Surrey against Hampshire in the County Championship and then wrapped up the month of May with another big score, 173 against Gloucestershire this time, in the same competition .
First up, Hash – who captained the DHS first XI in the year 2000 – compiled an unbeaten 215 in 8 hours and 11 minutes at the crease (367 balls with 22 boundaries) at The [Kia] Oval that helped set up victory for Surrey by an innings and 289 runs over Hampshire.
Hash, who was born on 31 March 1983, eventually retired hurt after conjuring up his 7th double century in first-class cricket over a first-class career that has now spanned 246 matches.
It is the same ground where Hash, now 38, became the first South African to make a triple Test hundred – against England in 2012 – a monumental 13 hour-and-10-minute knock of 311 not out that bore telling testimony to his considerable durability, patience and skill.
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Of the Hampshire rout, ESPN cricinfo’s Matt Roller reported that Hash “had managed only 78 runs in his first 3 games of the season, including a pair at Lord’s [the week before] but this innings was a throwback to his heyday, as he punched through cover, steered through third man and whipped through midwicket with a roll of the wrists.
“Amla was thwarted by birds more regularly than by Hampshire bowlers: a back-foot punch through the covers was stopped by a flock of pigeons grazing in the deep, and he backed away moments before a Liam Dawson ball that pegged back his off stump as one flew across his line of vision, resulting in a dead ball.
“Scott Currie, the 19-year-old seamer, induced a couple of false shots and had him dropped at wide slip on 184…” but apart from that it was vintage Hashim Amla, doing what he does best, dictating the course of a match.
The DHS first XI of the year 2000 that included names destined to distinguish the school across numerous fields.
The DHS Old Boy’s School first XI of 2000 included the likes of fellow Proteas cap and current Hollywoodbets Dolphins head coach Imraan Khan, Scott Mathie of DHS (and more) rugby playing & coaching renown, as well as the current headmaster of the independent Lynford School (in Ixopo) Luke Hounsom, and was coached by Alan Norton, the current principal of Durban North College who put 30 years of his teaching and coaching career into “School” as DHS is affectionately known.
Four weeks after his 215 it was another big Amla innings on his home county ground that influenced another big Surrey victory, this time by an innings and 47 runs over County Championship Group 2 high riders Gloucestershire, the men from the West country’s first defeat of the campaign.
Amla scored 173 this time round, compiled during an 8-hour-and-23-minute marathon out in the middle in which he faced 347 deliveries and hit 16 boundaries for his 54th first-class century.
“If Surrey supporters could name one thing that they missed most about not being able to come to The Oval in recent times, the sight Hashim Amla in full flow would surely have been high on the list,” reported ESPN cricinfo’s Alan Gardner, “… there are few batters in world cricket so unarguably worth the admission fee.”
“Those who made the pilgrimage for Surrey’s encounter with Gloucestershire were duly rewarded. Amla moved serenely to 3 figures during the dying embers of the [second] day, as if to order for those wishing to slip in for a glimpse of greatness on their way home from work.
“Some 2 500 were in the ground, and the majority of them rose to their feet as he stroked his 12th boundary through the covers, then removed his helmet to salute the four corners [of The Oval].
“This was also a captain’s innings, with Amla taking over responsibilities from Test-match bound Rory Burns [the upcoming England vs New Zealand 2-Test series that starts Wednesday].
“Leading with the bat has always come naturally for Amla and, having started well by winning the toss, he coasted up and down through the gears as required to ensure Surrey finished the [second] day ably placed.”
This was a match in which Surrey needed a win over the men from the West country in order to keep their County Championship title hopes alive.
It was Amla’s 3rd County Championship hundred for Surrey.
Gardner went on to say that Gloucestershire were “pummelled for the best part of two days by Hashim Amla’s velvet-gloved iron fist”.
More of Gardner on the Mighty Hash and this match: “Having spent 5 sessions in the field, the majority of which involved the exquisite torture of watching Amla go about his business at close range on the way to 173 from 347 balls, Gloucestershire’s batters had to gird themselves for an uncomfortable examination under suddenly grouchy south London skies. Surrey had the platform they wanted…”
“… Amla would have to be the ‘Boa Constrictor’, squeezing every ounce out of an innings or situation. He had Gloucestershire trussed up in his coils for almost eight-and-a-half hours, slowly tightening, tightening as Surrey set about making good on the attempt to bat once and bat big, before unleashing their spinners on a wearing surface.”
So, all in all, a thoroughly well-deserved “Well done Hash!”
The DHS Old Boy of the “wristy leg-side flick and serene cover drive” as so aptly described by ESPN cricinfo’s Firdose Moonda, ranks right up there with School’s best.
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Much to look forward to, but…
The naming this week of the KZN Inland boys’ age-group provincial hockey teams was in anticipation of the respective national and regional tournaments that were scheduled to be held in July.
However, it has been decided to postpone all such events.
Martin Ashworth feature photo: St Charles College first team captain Daniel Jacobs is in the KZN Inland U18A team.
The government’s reintroduction of the ban on contact sports to prevent the further spread of the Corona virus cluster outbreaks means that cross-school and cross-provincial-borders interactions are now no longer possible.
It is now hoped that the national and regional tournaments will be held in the October school holidays.
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The interprovincial U18A team Hockey Nationals was due to take place in Stellenbosch from July 10 to 14.
If a player was selected for South Africa U18 at that tournament, he would have been required to participate in a High Performance camp in Stellenbosch from July 15 to 17.
Thereafter, the SA U18 team was due to play in a Test series against Namibia U18 from July 18 to 21 in Stellenbosch.
The provincial U16A teams’ Hockey Nationals was due to be held from July 17 to 21 in Stellenbosch so the SA U18 side would have been sure of plenty of support during their Test matches against Namibia.
Meanwhile, the KZN Inland U18B team would have been playing in the U18B Regional Tournament from July 21 to 24 in Johannesburg.
The KZN Inland U16B team would also have been in Johannesburg from July 21 to 24 for their regional tournament, as would the KZN Inland U14A team for their regional tournament.
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It is understood that neither the respective KZN Inland provincial girls’ teams nor any of the KZN Coastal provincial boys and girls teams have been named as yet, as the trials had not been completed at the time the ban on school contact sports was reinstituted.
There are 8 Maritzburg College boys in the KZN Inland U18A side with 6 from Hilton College and 1 each from Michaelhouse and St Charles College.
In the KZN Inland U16A team there are 9 players from Hilton College, 4 from Maritzburg College, 2 from St Charles College and 1 from Michaelhouse.
In the KZN Inland U14A team there are 8 boys from Maritzburg College, 4 from Hilton College and 2 from St Charles College.
KZN INLAND BOYS’ HOCKEY TEAMS 2021
KZN Inland U18A (shirt number and name): 1. R. Marais; 2. N. Khumalo, 3. C. Osborne, 4. R. Dobeyn, 7. A. Mthalane, 12. J. Jansen, 14. T. Conolly, 16. C. Fulton (all Maritzburg College); K. Watt, 8. D. den Bakker, 9. D. Kitshoff, 10. D. Tshebi, 13. D. Pratt, 15. U. Nowele (all Hilton College); 6. K. Rathepe (Michaelhouse); 11. D. Jacobs (St Charles College).
Coach R. Jones. Assistant coach: D. Kimfley. Manager: C. Andrews.
KZN Inland U18B (shirt number and name): 1. J. Williams, 7. H. Giles, 15. A. Nzimande (all Michaelhouse); 2. M. Rout, 3. G. Armstrong, 11. M. Bray, 14. A. Matsa (all Hilton College); 4. M. Ponter, 6. G. Winlock, 10. R. Crookes, 12. A. Chiliza (all Maritzburg College); 5. O. Mkhabela, 9. T. Adewusi (both St Charles College); 8. S. Myeza, 13. A. Ngema (both CD).
Coach: M. Coombes. Assistant coach: C. Volminck. Manager: (TBC).
KZN Inland U18 teams’ non-travelling reserves (in no particular order): J. Goodwin, K. Gilson, J. Pike, N. Mntambo, V. Malinga, M. Selane (all Hilton College); J. Lalor, C. McKean, A. Carter (all Maritzburg College); S. Gaston (Grace College).
KZN Inland U16A (shirt number and name): 1. M. Barnardo, 4. A. Khumalo, 7. G. Aranky, 9. P. Dlamini (all Maritzburg College); 2. N. Shozi, 3. N. Chantler, 5. G. Bridgeford, 6. M. Diemont, 8. A. Mda, 10. J. Kitto, 14. T. Hove, 15. K. Khoele, 12. W. Liebenberg (all Hilton College); 11. R. Dicken, 13. C. Ryland (both St Charles College); 16. J. Gilson (Michaelhouse).
Coach: D. Kimfley. Assistant coach: R. Jones. Manager: G. von Meyer.
KZN Inland U16B (shirt number and name): 1. N. Holmes, 4. K. Dobeyn, 5. L. Akerman, 6. L. Armstrong, 7. S. Sithembu, 9. I. Mosupye, 11. B. Dlamini, 13. L. Seshemane, 14. A. Sithole, 15. J. Konigkramer, 16. A. Makhanya (all Maritzburg College); 2. P. Nkompela, 3. J. Yeadon (both Michaelhouse); 8. J. Kitshoff, 10. C. Thomson, 12. M. Dakile (all Hilton College).
Coach M. Cele. Assistant coach: R Johnson. Manager: M. Mazibuko.
KZN Inland U16 teams’ non-traveling reserves (in no particular order): J. Julius, M. Lougher-Clarke, D. Herbert (all Hilton College); M. Mashinini, M. Ngobeni (both St Dominics); S. Zulu (Newcastle); J. Lawrence (Michaelhouse); D. Checkly (Howick).
KZN Inland U14A (shirt number and name): 1. B. Thornton-Dibb, 2. D. Jackson, 4. K. Botha, 6. A. Mthalane, 9. S. Sithembu, 7. G. Askew, 12. A. Dlamini, 14. K. Jenkins (all Maritzburg College); 3. X. Enslin, 5. M. Thomas, 8. R. Mudau, 11. C. Smith (all Hilton College); 10. M. Moola, 13. A. Qumo (both St Charles College).
Coach M. Fairweather. Assistant coach: P. Gonlag. Manager: C Mbanjwa.
KZN Inland U14 team non-traveling reserves (in no particular order): R. Honiball, 5. R. Adijbuyo (both St Charles College); 2. R. van der Vliet (Maritzburg College); 3. L. Camerer (Michaelhouse); 4. J. Webster (Hilton College).
KEARSNEY NORTHWOOD 1sts HOCKEY MATCH REPORT TEAMS RESULTS
With the mystifying government moratorium on school contact sports, which has no medical science or logic to back it, let’s take a look at the Kearsney College vs Northwood 1st team hockey match 10 days ago – and it may well be the last game of the year, unless the government bows to pressure and fast-shoe shuffles on its mistake.
TEAM LISTS AND THE TEAMS’ 2021 RESULTS AT BOTTOM OF THIS STORY.
On 23 April the two sides met and the outcome was a 2-2 draw. Just 22 days later, the outcome was different.
Kearsney started the game very strongly, dominating possession and creating numerous early chances, said the Kearsney report.
Tracey van den Aardweg feature photo: Kearsney 1st XI captain Manzi Mhlungu in possession against Northwood.
Kearsney’s strikers were receiving great ball in dangerous areas; but Northwood defended those areas well and managed to keep the scores level.
Shaun Baker, Northwood first team coach and hockey director, Maritzburg College Old Boy and the 2002 captain of the #RedArmy, and his KZN10.com peers such as Kearsney’s J.J Reed know that hockey’s educational value goes far beyond the white lines and close confines of a hockey Astro. And hats off to Bakes, who has grown the number of hockey teams at Northwood to 23, which is comfortably the most number of hockey teams at any 1 of the KZN10 schools.
Northwood took some time to get going and really opened up the game towards the end of the second chukka.
Both teams put on a great display of hockey with some really close chances going both ways.
With the game still at 0-0 going into the final 15 minutes it was going to take something special from either team to take the lead.
Kearsney broke the deadlock with a great goal from striker Daniel de Kock.
Kearsney’s Daniel de Kock scored two goals against Northwood. Daniel’s team-mate Jacques Minnaar (9) watches intently. Photo Tracey van den Aardweg
Kearsney used the momentum to run in two more goals, one from eventual man of the match Kai Hielckert and the final goal giving Daniel de Kock his second of the game.
Other notable performances came from Campbell Duckworth, who controlled the midfield, and Bryce Wiggett, who controlled Kearsney’s defence.
One assumed that Northwood coach Shaun Baker and Kearsney’s JJ Reed plus Wayne Marsden would have had a tidy number of matches ahead for their players to work on the positives and minuses from this encounter.
But… the government has made short work of that particular assumption.
KZN10.com website and social media thanks the outstanding #HalfwayToyota #Howick dealership and its general manager Brandon Brokensha for their support. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com for info on the various advertising options and more. #TogetherWeAreOne. And why not give Brandon a call at 083 514 1089.
Jonathan Cook of KZN10.com website and social media thanks Hilton College Old Boy Rory Smith of Absolute Containers for sponsoring these 2 wonderful Powerbanks to ensure that Jono and his smartphone remain fully charged when it really matters!!! A heartfelt thank you, dear Absolute Containers! No wonder you are the trendsetters in customised containers and modular solutions! Take a look https://absolutecontainers.co.za/
St Charles College’s new finance manager Brad Robinson misses SA title by millimetres
Brad Robinson, the Maritzburg College Old Boy and new finance manager at St Charles College, came within millimetres of winning the Bowls South Africa National Men’s Singles title in Cape Town over the weekend.
The picturesque vista across the bowling greens at Western Province Cricket Club in Cape Town.
Feature photo: Brad Robinson in upbeat mood ahead of the singles semi-finals.
This tournament, along with the SA Masters and the SA Interprovincial, is in the top 3 most prestigious events in the country. And in terms of purely Club Bowls, is probably the number 1 event.
Brad and Niksa Benguric after the final of the SA singles.
Brad, who is a Team Aero player was 18-13 up in the SA singles final on the picturesque Western Province Cricket Club greens.
If he had touched the jack with his next and final shot on that particular end, the necessary 3 points were in the bag to be crowned SA bowls singles champion with a 21-13 victory.
Mason Robinson watches his dad Brad being interviewed.
When approached by KZN10.com a few hours ago as to how close he got with that final shot, Brad smiled ruefully: “Jono I had to touch the jack for 3 and just missed by a few millimetres.”
Brad’s opponent, Niksa Benguric from Gauteng North bowls province, came back into this tensest of title showdowns… and the scores were locked at 20-20.
Just like his brother Mason, Cole Robinson only has eyes for dad.
“Niksa saved game a few ends before the end,” says Brad, who predominantly plays out of Lynwood Bowling Club in Pietermaritzburg and represents the KZN Inland province.
“Then on that last head I narrowly missed the jack to win the final,” says Brad, who was also the runner-up in the 2017 SA National Men’s Singles final.
And the outcome was that Niksa won the SA National Men’s Singles title and gold medal on a 21-20 final scoreline with Brad taking the silver.
Must have been pretty tight out there, Brad?
“Yes Jono, it certainly was a tense game, yet played in a great spirit between old friends. I was relatively calm throughout and was backing myself all the way – even with the last bowl.
“One thing I stand by is that you have to trust your ability,” says Brad, who is a chartered accountant and previously a senior manager at Pricewaterhouse Coopers before taking up his new position at St Charles College.
KZN10.com website and social media thanks the outstanding #HalfwayToyota #Howick dealership and its general manager Brandon Brokensha for their support. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com for info on the various advertising options and more. #TogetherWeAreOne. And why not give Brandon a call at 083 514 1089.
Brad participated in 3 disciplines at Nationals in Cape Town, namely the SA Fours, the SA Pairs and the SA Singles – and it was most definitely a case of near-misses across the board for this Maritzburg College Old Boy of the Class of 2000 .
“In the SA Fours I played with Calvin Hollis [of Maritzburg Bowling Club] and Gerry Baker and Prince Neluonde [of Bryanston Sports Club in Johannesburg].
“We lost in the quarter-finals by 1 shot with the last bowl.”
Brad (right) with his SA Fours competition teammates Calvin Hollis (of Maritzburg Bowling Club) and Gerry Baker and Prince Neluonde (of Bryanstan Sports Club in Johannesburg).
In the Pairs, again playing alongside Calvin Hollis – a Glenwood Old Boy and owner of the popular Kick & Whistle Family Restaurant and Sports Bar in the KZN capital – the two good friends lost on an extra end in the last 16.
So near, yet so…
You can be sure that Brad will not be giving up his quest for gold anytime soon.
Take a look at this previous KZN10.com feature on Brad.
Brad playing for Lynwood.
NORTHWOOD vs KEARSNEY RUGBY WRAP
In this 1st XV match report from Kearsney: The Northwood 1st XV hosted Kearsney College for their annual Classic Clash in Durban North on a steaming hot Saturday afternoon (15 May 2021) with temperatures well above 30 degrees.
Tracey van den Aardweg feature photo: Kearsney 1st XV eighthman Tom Carmody with ball in hand during the loss against home side the Northwood Knights 1st XV on Reece-Edwards Field.
The match got off to a flying start when Northwood’s star flyhalf received a poor midfield kick from Kearsney in an attempt to exit their half from the kick-off.
The Northwood 1st XV (Knights) after the win over Kearsney on Reece-Edwards Field at Northwood on Saturday.
The Northwood Knights’ number 10 Emmanuel Bahji collected the ball close to the halfway line and ran untouched to score in the right-hand corner. which he converted for a 7-0 lead after 1 minute of play.
Two minutes later, hosts Northwood also failed to exit and Kearsney turned the breakdown – with 8th man Tom Carmody prominent – and winger Trent Coetzee scored an unconverted try, shrinking the deficit to 7-5.
Northwood 1st XV results vs Kearsney the last 8 years.
Northwood 1st XV results vs Kearsney the last 8 years.
The next 7 minutes caused some drama with Kearsney losing firstly scrumhalf Matthew Bergset from a late charge, and soon after the inside centre with a suspected concussion.
Kearsney then took the lead 8-7 following a penalty by flyhalf Lethu Gwarube.
NORTHWOOD TEAM vs KEARSNEY 15 MAY 2021
Conditions might have contributed, but both teams were guilty of sloppy skills and below-par defense.
Northwood scored their second try from another poor decision by the Kearsney backs on the counter, to regain the lead 12-8.
In the 25th minute the hosts stretched their lead further to 15-8 with a converted penalty.
KZN10.com website and social media thanks the outstanding #HalfwayToyota Howick dealership & general manager Brandon Brokensha for their support. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com for info on the various advertising options and more.
Kearsney attacked well during the last 5 minutes of the half and were rewarded with a Coetzee try, which Gwarube converted to take the score to 15-15 at halftime.
Shortly after the break, Kearsney added another Gwarube penalty for an 18-15 lead.
KEARSNEY TEAM vs NORTHWOOD 15 MAY 2021
The visitors played the most constructive rugby in the next 15 minutes, but failed to convert the territory into points, even turning down kickable penalties.
Northwood adopted a kick-and-chase tactic, which led to their next converted try, to regain the lead at 22-18.
Kearsney had a golden opportunity for an all-important 7-pointer but poor handling prevented a sure try.
Kearsney’s morale took a dip, which Northwood capitalised on, to score a converted try, which was also signaled the final score of 29-18.
The first XV match has left Kearsney coaches Barend Steyn and Nico Breedt, and Northwood’s Grant Bashford and Jeremy Mclaren, with much to consider.
ALL THE NORTHWOOD RUGBY RESULTS vs KEARSNEY 15 MAY 2021
KEARSNEY PHOTO COMP DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY!
The popular Culture@Kearsney art exhibition and photographic competition – part of Kearsney College’s Centenary Year – will be combined at the photographic prizegiving on Tuesday 8 June, allowing artists and photographers to view each other’s talent. The deadline for submitting entries is this Friday, 21 May 2021.
FEATURE IMAGE: South African culture – Photo by Mbali Mkhize
The images published here are from last year’s competition. HIGH SCHOOL AND PRIMARY SCHOOL children are eligible to enter.
Chop Chop – Photo by Thomas van der Hoven – a previous winner in the Environmental portrait category.
Young high and primary school photographers are urged to start submitting their entries in the various categories of Documenting our Lives, as the deadline is this Friday, 21 May.
The SEVEN categories for high school photographers are Wildlife, Objects in Space, People Portrait in black and white, A Moment to Remember, Fashion, Architecture and Dusk to Dawn.
Portrait with horses – Photo by Leo Baber – a previous winning entry in the People category.
The TWO Categories for primary school photographers are Garden Life and Objects in Space.
There is no limitation on the camera equipment which can be used, as long as it is capable of producing an image of at least 1mb in size.
The competition encourages photographers to use their mobile devices (iPad, tablet, cell phone or Go‐Pro) or DSLR cameras.
Fashion – Colour Concept – Photo by Se Gcaba
All images submitted must be originals and have been taken since 1 August last year (2020).
Rules and details for the competition are available on www.kearsney.com and winners stand a chance of winning great prizes.
The judging panel comprises independent leaders in the visual arts industry who have no affiliation to Kearsney or any school that submits work.
Wildlife – Narcissus – Photo by Branson Meaker
The annual Culture@Kearsney programme is a celebration of the vibrant and dynamic arts scene in KZN schools.
It aims to enrich the development of the arts in all its forms – including one-act plays, poetry, dance and a choral festival.
Wildlife – Spider – Photo by Kevin Meyer
KZN10.com website and social media thanks the outstanding #HalfwayToyota #Howick dealership and its general manager Brandon Brokensha for their support. I cannot do this alone. And why not give Brandon a call at 083 514 1089.
GLENWOOD OLD BOY JORDY SMITH SURFS THE WORLD FANTASTIC
Jordy Smith is flying the Glenwood flag high as he surfs the World Surf League’s biggest, cleanest and most financially lucrative breaks.
Feature photo: Jordy Smith (at age 20) expertly executing a lightning-fast rodeo clown in the northern summer of 2009, the move invented by the American surfing legend Kelly Slater 10 years earlier at the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii. Brian Bielman
The Durban born and bred Glenwood Old Boy and Red Bull athlete…
Glenwood Old Boy Jordy Smith is one of the Red Bull athletes.
…is currently lying in 5th place on the WSL Championship Tour and qualified 2 years ago for the first-ever Olympic Games surfing competition; the Covid-delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which will hopefully still take place this year.
The World Surf League is currently undergoing the Australian leg of this global event and 31-year-old Jordy has ended in second place at the Margaret River Pro, south of Perth.
In 2012 Jordy’s Bending Colours garnered a 2012 Surfer Poll Movie of the Year nomination.
In 2013 Jordy had a year that saw him cement his place as one of the most avant-garde surfers in the world and included the release of Now Now which became a massive YouTube hit.
Watching Now Now it is uncanny how Jordy seems to instinctively feel the wave – the board glued to his feet – WATCH AT 9:25 FOR THE 27-SECOND SEQUENCE and then from 11:40 at Ballito and then the incredible 10-second sequence from 13:00 to 13:10.
Injury plagued Jordy during late 2014 and much of 2015 but came back with a bang in 2016 to gain finish in the runners-up spot on the World Rankings. In 2017 Jordy ended 4th in the world then 5th in 2018.
Just 2 years ago, Jordy was in with a real chance to win his first world champion surfer title but an early exit in the final event (in Hawaii) of the Championship Tour meant he had to settle for 3rd place in the final world standings.
* When the talented Jordy was a young boy in Durban he faced the choice of focusing on either soccer or surfing… and we know the outcome of that decision.
- At the age of 17 Jordy was crowned ASP World Junior Champion and, still in his teens, he qualified for the pinnacle of the sport, the elite ASP World Tour.
- In his rookie year competing with the best of the best surfers on the planet Jordy finished second in the world title race, this when he was barely out of his teens.
Covid ensured that the entire WSL CT was cancelled, so here’s to Jordy and the 2021 year.
This Glenwood Old Boy is very much a family man and describes happiness in the simple yet essential terms one would come to expect from a unique, vital human being who spends so much time with the elemental energies of nature.
“I like to think that I am easy to be with and happiness for me is when I am healthy and with my wife, family and friends.”
Good on you, Jordy, a true Glenwood Legend.
#greenmachine #greenisgold #surfing #wsl #worldtitle
KZN10.com website and social media thanks the outstanding #HalfwayToyota Howick dealership and its general manager Brandon Brokensha brandon@halfwayhowick.co.za for their much-needed support. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com for info on the various options. #TogetherWeAreMore. And why not give Brandon a call at 083 514 1089.