In a triumphant return to cricketing glory, the Crickets Cricket Club hosted the resuscitated Double Wicket Competition on a sun-soaked Sunday, the 10th of September. An initiative inspired by Andrew Shedlock from DHS this exhilarating event saw a lineup of schools, including DHS, Kearsney College, Westville, Curro Hillcrest, Thomas More College, and, of course, the hosts, Crickets CC.
The Double Wicket Competition boasts a storied history, dating back to its inception in 1977. The inaugural champions were none other than Northland’s Robin Smith, who would go on to grace cricket fields for England, and the powerhouse Hugh Reece Edwards, who would become a legendary Sharks rugby and Springbok rugby player.
Once a regular highlight on the cricketing calendar, this competition sadly faded into obscurity in the late ’90s. But, as they say, the phoenix has risen from the ashes, and the resurrection is complete!
The stage was set for a fiercely contested tournament, with the first match on the 10th of September setting the tone. Thomas More College, drawn to play against DHS, put up an inspiring fight against their more distinguished opponents. It included the likes of Bayanda Majola fresh from his stint at the CSA National Camp. Trent Summerton’s strong hitting and Ross Hoffman’s deft touches kept the audience on the edge of their seats, narrowly missing the target.
However, the standout duo of the day was undeniably Ross Coetzee and Jack O’Donovan from Kearsney College. They remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, eventually outplaying the Westville team of Roxton Paine and Kaeden McAllister to claim the coveted trophy.
It was a day of epic hits and power plays, featuring Westville’s Kaeden McAllister and Maritzburg College’s Luke Miller, who sent the ball sailing over the boundary on multiple occasions.
The picturesque Luther Field, courtesy of Ian and David Lambert, provided the perfect backdrop for this exhilarating revival of the Double Wicket Competition. Andrew Shedlock was delighted with the competition mentioning that, “we want this to grow, it was played in such a good spirit, the comradery amongst all the boys was unbelievable and for me that is how school sport should be played. Long may this double wicket competition continue.”
The resurrection is indeed complete, and we eagerly anticipate more thrilling chapters in the years to come.
Photo: Kim Hoffman
