BODI RETURNS TO HOMEGROUND

The bizhub Highveld Lions today welcomed left-hander Gulam Bodi back to his roots where he started his career as a young cricketer. Bodi, who transfers from Nashua Titans with immediate effect, will join the team in time to form part of the squad for the Standard Bank Pro20 Tournament.
Head Coach, Dave Nosworthy, is regarding Gulam as a real asset. “Gulam will be an asset, both on and off the field with his superb track record and playing experience. I’ve also no doubt that he will fit in well and welcome him back home after many years away,” said Nosworthy.


Bodi is looking forward to contributing to the squad. “I’m really looking forward to be playing for my home team again, something that I have always wanted. This is where I started my career and I believe that I still have plenty to still offer. I’m thankful to the bizhub Highveld Lions for giving me the opportunity to further my career and for being part of the team,” Bodi said.

FIXTURES: 22-23 January 2011

SA5
Marlboro CC vs Heidelburg CC at Malboro Oval

SA7
Philips Glenvista vs Marlboro CC at MBCG Oval

SA8
Wits Lions (Modderfontein) vs Marlboro CC at Wits Education Campus A

Sunday 35 overs
Nordbak Alberton CC vs Marlboro at Southern Suburbs

MCC BABE OF THE WEEK 22/01/2011

SA5 begin 2011 with victory

MCC SA5 defeated Germiston City in a rather low scoring match this past weekend.

With a slowish outfield, MCC batting first scored 129/8. Contributions from Archie 41, Farhad 22, and Ishaq 22.

The bowling was tight too, with Aadil, Nathie, Mayur, Jaydeep and Kadwa chipping in with wickets.

It went down to the last over with Kadwa bowling, and 10 required with 1 wicket in hand. Nerves got to the old chappie, who bowled two wides before Nathie took a stunning catch to end the innings, and a win by 6 runs.

Archie claimed the Man of the Match award for his patient knock of 41 in trying conditions.

South Africa vs India

There is a rather intriguing series going on between South Africa and India, with just a month to go before the World Cup.

Two top teams vying it out in their final series before the Big One on the Sub-continent.

So far we seen South Africa dominate the first, then choke miserably in the 2nd ODI at the Wanderers. Let's take a look firstly at the SA outfit.

In the batting, there has been a partnership that's got them out of trouble. Smith looks ordinary, Amla is taking on the attacking role. I'm not sure who is advising him, but with Kallis out through injury I feel he has to be playing the anchor role.

Ingram, Miller and newcomer Faf has to prove their worth if they want to cement their places in the side. JP and AB will do well at the World Cup.

Then the long list of bowlers. With Steyn and Morkel picking themselves, Botha and Imran Taahir I'm sure will play regularly on those wickets. Which leaves one spot in the XI open for Parnell or Tsotsobe.

When the team will be announced, I don't think Ingam will make the cut. News out suggest SA will be including an additional keeper to the squad.

And South Africa seem to be struggling to an Indian team missing regulars Tendulkar, Gambir and explosive Sehwag.

India has a good balance, with Zaheer and Harbajan lookin ever so good.

This series means nothing in the build up to the tournament, and I foresee lots of close matches and nailbiters, which seems its going to be the most closely matched World Cup in years!

MCC SA5 BABE OF THE WEEK 15/01/2011

MCC SA7 BABE OF THE WEEK 15/01/2011

MCC SA8 BABE OF THE WEEK 15/01/2011

MCC SUNDAY XI BABE OF THE WEEK 15/01/2011

A THOUGHT...

Seeing Kallis' recent batting performance, do you see a relationship between lack of hair and lack of runs??

Rumour has it certain top order batsmen are looking to grow zulfas!!

PLEASE COMMENT...

SACHIN THE LITTLE MASTER

50 TEST MATCH CENTURIES

CONGRATS HASHIM AMLA ON 50 TEST MATCHES

USMAN KHAWAJA DEBUTS FOR AUSTRALIA

Ricky Ponting will miss the final Test of the Ashes series. He will be replaced by Usman Khawaja, who has been a part of the Australian squad since the Pakistan series, but is yet to make his debut.

Khawaja is a Pakistani-born player and moved to Australia with his family when he was just three years old. He will be the first Muslim player to represent the Australian cricket team when he receives the baggy green in the Sydney Test.

Khawaja grew up watching the Australian team dominate the other teams in the world. He used to hang around the entrance of the ground until he was allowed to have a peek at his heroes playing under the captaincy of Steve Waugh. His family wasn’t able to afford match tickets, but now Khawaja will be the part of the team which he used to watch. It will be a priceless experience for Khawaja as he replaces Ponting for the Sydney Test.

He will be making his debut at his home ground. Australia has already lost the Ashes but the series can be saved if the hosts can manage a win in the final Test. Khawaja is excited about his chances and said, “It's been a childhood dream for me. Ever since I can remember I wanted to play for Australia.”

Khawaja is a wristy left-hander and has impressed his team-mates with his performances in the domestic season. The 24-year-old also received words of praise from the man he will replace; Ricky Ponting. The New South Wales player also has great regard for Ponting. He stated, “Ricky is a legend of a cricketer, a legend of a bloke. I've only met him a few times, but he's made me feel like I've been part of the team when I really haven't.”

He also said that he will only look to perform in the match and is not there to replace the legendary Australian cricketer. He said, “He's the kind of guy that if he told me to jump off a bridge I probably would, I'd follow him anywhere. I'm not here to fill Ricky Ponting's shoes, I'm going to go out there and try and do the best I can. To replace 12,000 runs is a big feat and I still haven't scored any.”

Playing for North South Wales (NSW), Khawaja has featured in 27 first-class games and has scored runs at an average of 51.70. He started the season with a double ton but hasn’t been able to score another century after that. He has however scored some useful fifties for his team. He was the leading scorer in the Sheffield Shield Cup, scoring 598 runs at an average of 74.75. The Australian team has been unable to get big scores from their top order batsmen. Most of the runs have come from the middle and lower-middle order.

Usman Khawaja will be expected to score that big hundred for the team which they have been missing from the likes of Ponting, Michael Clarke and Shane Watson. This will be a tough ask for Khawaja, but if he manages to make a big score on debut, it will be quite a memorable innings for him.

All eyes will be set on the debutant Khawaja. It will not be easy for him as England will put him under pressure, but he could be the answer to Australia’s recent batting problems.