Knights’ fast bowler Mbulelo Budaza was, statistically, second to none in the recently-concluded 2019/20 Momentum One Day Cup campaign and it was an achievement that he didn’t see forthcoming, writes Marc Jacobson.

Budaza, along with teammate Shaun von Berg, were the joint top wicket-takers of the tournament, having dislodged a total of 18 batsmen throughout the course of the season. 

However, it was Budaza who was just that more resilient, having struck at an exemplary average of 16.27 against Von Berg’s 19.88.

“It’s always great to have a good season and to be honest, it’s not always something that we [anticipate] as players. But I’m feeling great,” a chuffed Budaza told Cricket Fanatics Magazine.

Although closely contrasted to Von Berg, who is a right-arm leg-breaker, Budaza was certainly the pick of the best among the seamers in the competition, with the next best having been rising star Thando Ntini, the son of former great Makhaya Ntini.

Ntini collected 14 wickets at an average of 28.28 and, with South Africa having traditionally prided itself on its pace bowling resources, this achievement went a long way for Budaza.

“There were some guys in my team with a lot of experience who had helped me a lot, such as Shaun von Berg and Pite van Biljon,” he continued.

“They played a big role during my season. I’m very happy to have them in my team.

“Whenever I got handed the ball I wanted to contribute every time and I’m happy I managed to do that. Allan Donald also came in with some ideas and he contributed a lot towards my successes this past season.”

Donald, nicknamed ‘White Lightning’, was in February appointed as the next head coach of the Knights and his name, in particular, remains synonymous with South Africa’s distinctive gains – past and present – made in pace bowling attacks post-isolation.

Donald’s name could be thrown into the same hat as other pace legends Fanie de Villiers, Brett Schultz, Richard Snell, Shaun Pollock, Ntini and, in more recent times, Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada.

Budaza was inspired by some of these very legends when he was a youngster growing into the game.

“When I started playing cricket I used to watch many games involving Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn, who I used to enjoy watching a lot. I used to enjoy watching Steyn [particularly] for his aggression, rhythm and his balance at the crease,” he explained.

“And because Lonwabo Tsotsobe was a left-arm [bowler] like me, I used to watch him a lot, too. The guys used to even call me ‘Lobba’,” he said, adding that Rabada and Australia’s Mitchell Starc are some his present-day inspirations.

The 26-year-old said he originally developed a passion for cricket while he was being schooled at his alma mater Woodridge College, located some 30km outside of Port Elizabeth. 

He represented Eastern Province at the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week in 2011 and had played alongside some other prominent locals such as Anrich Nortje, Edward Moore, Andries Gous and Solomzi Nqweni, whose career was unfortunately cut short last year when he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre while playing in England. 

Budaza will continue his trade for the Knights next season, fittingly on his favoured home ground wickets of the Diamond Oval in Kimberley and the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. 

“Whenever I bowl slower balls on those grounds, the ball grips a lot more and if I bowl the ‘normal’ ball it goes, especially at night time.”

Looking ahead, Budaza said he would specifically like to adopt a leadership role within the team.

“I am looking forward to working with Allan and hopefully I will develop more as a cricketer and as a leader. 

“As a cricketer you want to win games for your team, so I’m hoping I can do that next season. I want to inspire the younger guys in Bloemfontein coming through – that’s [also] a big goal.”

Budaza’s tournament highlight was taking five wickets for 44 runs against the Titans in Kimberley in early March and as the new spell unfolds towards the end of the year, he remained ambitious in his quest as a seasoned professional.

“I still want to get a chance to play for South Africa. That is my goal for next season,” he said from his home in Grahamstown where he is currently enduring the COVID-19 lockdown. 

To keep fit, Budaza started training this week by doing some cardiovascular exercises and weight-training from his residence, with hopes of hitting the ground running when the new season resumes. 

Photo: Frikkie Kapp/BackpagePix