New signings hoping to make immediate impact:
With KwaZulu-Natal Cricket’s pre-season campaign now under way, two of their new semi-professional signings Michael Erlank and Keith Dudgeon are hoping to contribute positively as soon as the season starts.
Both players have made the journey to KZN from inland with Erlank leaving the Free State for Durban while Dudgeon has relocated from Gauteng.
“I am really looking forward to the challenge of a new city and new team,” Dudgeon mentioned.
“My decision was made on the basis that I think I will be able to get more opportunities here than I did in Gauteng to play franchise cricket. I got a feel for franchise cricket last season but I think a move here will be good for my career.
“I am a bit out of my comfort zone but I am really looking forward to the challenge!”
The 21 year old’s bowling has been the feature of his game recently but he knows that it is always advantageous to be able to excel at both the bowling as well as the batting discipline.
“I definitely see myself as a bowling all-rounder and I didn’t quite get off to the start that I wanted to with the bat last season.
“The guys at Kingsmead have been fantastic already and I can’t wait to learn from the likes of Rob (Frylinck) and (Mthokozisi) Shezi.
“I won’t be walking into the franchise team so I am ready to work hard in the B side and I am excited about the upcoming season,” a focused Dudgeon added.
The experienced 26 year-old Erlank, who is currently playing in the United Kingdom, comes to KwaZulu-Natal with over 100 first-class games under his belt and the hunger to continue to grow as a cricketer.
“There were a few factors that have influenced my move to Durban but I think the main factor is change,” he mentioned.
“I have been in Bloemfontein for most of my life so the change will be good for me and I know that there are loads of players and coaches in KZN that I can learn from.
“Playing for the Dolphins is definitely one of my goals. I’m looking forward to the challenge of getting to know my new teammates, coaches and learning some new things from them, as well as putting in some strong performances for the KZN team and adding some value to the team.
“I’d like to keep improving every part of my game. I want to be the best that I can be and the only way will be by improving every day,” he added.
Being from Bloemfontein, there are a few others draw cards for Erlank than just the cricket when he gets to Durban.
“Apart from the cricket, I am definitely looking forward to be living near the beach!
“Durban is a beautiful part of the country so living there is going to be great and hopefully I can also learn how to surf!” he added with a laugh.
Coaching shake-up at KZN Cricket:
The current offseason has seen the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union make changes to its coaching ranks as the union hopes to push for more success in the 2017/18 season with Mduduzi Mbatha returning to the province to take over the reins of the KZN Academy and the Under-19 side.
Mbatha’s coaching pedigree is impressive. The 29 year-old was involved in the coaching structures at Northerns Cricket, handling their academy and Under 19 structures as well as coaching the amateur side.
The former Durban High School pupil, who was a member of the KZN Academy in 2007, studied at the University of Pretoria and returns to Durban with his eye firmly set on climbing the coaching ranks and growing the younger players in the province.
“I understand what has been happening here, having been part of the academy, and I am really looking forward to making my own mark and creating a winning environment here,” Mbatha said confidently.
“I see where we stand as a union and I am hoping that I can help in getting the union and the franchise thinking that we can be as good as I think we can be.
“It’s a bit of a homecoming for me and I am really excited about what lies ahead for me and for the union.
“I applied for the post here because I am hoping that I can grow and improve as a coach here.”
Mbatha will be working closely with the franchise coach Grant Morgan as he tries to push his academy players to knock on the door for franchise honours.
Other coaching positions at the KZNCU that have been confirmed are Kenneth Mafunga who will take up the head coach position of the KZN Under 17 and Under 15 sides with Dinesha Devnarain at the helm of women’s cricket.
The junior coaching positions, Under 11 and Under 13, will be filled at the beginning of July.
KZN Inland Cricket has also announced their coaching structures for the upcoming season. Shane Burger will remain at the helm of the KZN Inland Men’s team with Mbasa Gqadushe taking over at the academy and the Under 19 side.
Former Proteas seamer Yusuf Abdullah will head up the Under 17 and Under 15 sides while Siyabonga Gumede will coach the Under 13 and Under 11 sides. Richard Hlela will coach women’s cricket in the region.
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