KZN duo selected for National Academy squad:
Following the conclusion of the 2019 Franchise Academy Week in Oudtshoorn last week, Hollywoodbets Dolphins Academy cricketers Yves Kamanzi and Khwezi Gumede were selected for the SA Academy side following their strong bowling displays throughout the week.
The Dolphins side headed into the week with high hopes and started well with a three wicket win over the VKB Knights Academy however they fell away slightly with losses to the Multiply Titans, the bizhub Highveld Lions and a nail-biting one wicket defeat to the Warriors.
The Durban side managed to win their final game against the WSB Cape Cobras thanks to an innings of 115 from Bradley Porteous, Gumede’s four for 34 and Kamanzi’s three for 35.
The competition consisted of four 50-over contests and a T20, the Dolphins side’s T20 was their loss to the Lions.
Kamanzi was the pick of the Dolphins bowlers throughout the week as the slow left arm bowler bowled all 44 overs that were available to him and he picked up 10 wickets at an average of 15. The spinner finished as joint second highest wicket taker at the week.
Gumede’s average was just as impressive as the seamer bagged eight wickets in 33 overs at an average just over 15. Gumede’s eight wickets saw him finish as the fourth highest wicket taker of the tournament.
Following the week, coach Mduduzi Mbhatha was positive about the team’s performance despite their results.
“I still think that we were on a par with the other franchises at the week,” he said.
“It was an interesting week for us as we played good cricket but we made a few errors that cost us a lot.
“With that said, as a group we are definitely moving in the right direction and it is a young group of players that will grow from this experience.
“I am really excited to see what this group can achieve in the near future because they are the next generation of Dolphins players.”
Talking about the two players that were selected for the national academy side, Mbhatha said he was glad to see players making a mark during national tournaments.
“You could see that Yves and Khwezi were a level above the rest and they took to that role of being our strike bowlers well.
“Khwezi was special on wickets that were slow and low. He was able to get something out of the surfaces and picked up crucial wickets,” the coach added.
The post KZN duo selected for National Academy squad appeared first on Hollywoodbets Dolphins.
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