Finally, Durban cricket fans got a piece of the Mzansi Super League second edition action, and my urge for exciting cricket was fulfilled, writes Thathe Msimango.
Kingsmead Stadium welcomed the Cape Town Blitz on Sunday for the Durban Heats first uninterrupted match.
The previous two Heat home matches against Tshwane Spartans and Paarl Rocks were abandoned due to rain. But cool weather today gave fans something to celebrate and allowed them to bring families to the stadium for a day full of enjoyment and a competitive game of cricket.
Besides the weather conditions providing the relief, the fans seemed like they were not hungry for the match up as the attendance was extremely poor.
The issue of attendance at Kingsmead is something we need to work on in the future as for the past four years since I started covering Domestic Cricket or the Proteas – the numbers keep dropping at a fast rate.
To be precise, the solution to the problem needs cooperation from top management down to the fans as well.
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Coming to the pitch, Andile Phehlukwayo steamrolled the Blitz’s dangerous duo Quinton De Kock and Janemman Malan but the visitors managed to post a decent 174 after being asked to bat first.
In response the 26-year-old batsman Wihan Lubbe played a heroic 83 off 42 but his effort was in vain as a superb Dale Steyn bowling performance took Blitz home.
READ: WEEKEND MOMENTS: WIHAN LUBBE SHINES IN DURBAN HEATS DEFEAT
Even though things did not go as planned for the home side, the Durbanites will be pleased to see a game of cricket after the rain messed up the first two matches.
To myself as a journalist, I was getting irritated to repeat the same thing over again, but Sunday’s clash was satisfying as it was full of excitement.
It may still be too early to predict which franchise will scoop the champions title but the Blitz seem to be a team to watch as they look to go one step further this year.
But someone might not draw too much attention into today’s result as we know the Heat haven’t really had an opportunity to build a run of form.
Gary Kirsten has the task in his hands to bounce back from this loss and hope his players really turn up the heat in the upcoming matches.
