All set for the Clifton T20 Tournament
Clifton College‘s Ken Mackenzie Hall hosted the 12 teams that will contest the Clifton T20 Tournament on Thursday evening. It was an opportunity to learn more about the captains and their sides and to enjoy a tasty dinner.
It was also a chance for the players to see their playing kits for the first time. They were revealed when each of the captains donned their outfits before heading onto the stage for a chat with Tournament Director Brandon Scullard and Clifton’s Deputy Principal: Marketing, Barry Mezher.
The 2025 line-up includes the nine KZN schools that were part of last year’s inaugural event during Clifton’s Centenary – Clifton, Durban High School (DHS), Glenwood High, Hilton College, Maritzburg College, Michaelhouse, Northwood, and St Charles College – plus St John’s College, of Harare.
The Zimbabweans are part of the event because Clifton has been a regular part of their St John’s Rams T20 for over a decade now, and the Clifton T20 format is based on that of the St John’s tournament.
Last year, St John’s won their home tournament, which also featured three KZN schools in action: Clifton, Maritzburg College, and Kearsney College.
The additions to the Clifton T20 this time around, which have increased the field from 10 to 12 teams, are Kearsney College, who had a scheduling clash last year, and Hoërskool Waterkloof, a side that many consider to be one of the favourites to hoist the magnificent Centenary Cup on Sunday.
Catch the action LIVE on DStv Channel 216 or watch it on the SuperSport Schools app
There is, though a common question being asked about Klofies, and that is whether they can adapt their T20 game to Durban’s wickets. If they can pull that off, their T20 pedigree, which includes winning the Westvaal North/South T20 in 2022 and 2023, should stand them in good stead.
There is, though, no clear-cut favourite. The form of many of KZN’s teams has been unpredictable, and that has had plenty to do with the dominance of bowlers this season. Thus far, no 1st XI centuries have been scored by any of the big guns in the province. Maybe the Clifton T20 will see that surprising stat ended.
Last year’s event was highlighted by an astonishing innings by St Charles College’s Cian Fortmann on the opening day. He pounded a remarkable 153 not out against Hilton College from only 76 balls, which helped Saints to 211/1, and on to a 51-run victory.
The Pietermaritzburg school used that win as a springboard to secure a spot in the semi-finals where they were joined by Glenwood, Maritzburg College, and DHS.
Unfortunately, rain on the second day played a role in determining which positions teams would play for and Saturday’s forecast, on day two again, looks a little iffy. But fingers are being crossed.
In last year’s semi-finals, Maritzburg College came back from the dead to take down Glenwood, while St Charles found their risky, big-hitting approach punished by a disciplined bowling performance from DHS.
School went on to score a five-wicket win over College in the title decider. They return many of the players that took them to the title last year, but they no longer have one of the key cogs from that win, captain Semal Pillay, who was included in the SA u19 squad that played three Youth ODIs against England u19 in January.
On the evidence of the opinions and insights shared by the 12 captains on Thursday night, there is a healthy respect for their opposition, with the understanding that anything is possible, especially in a shorter format like T20 cricket. At one point, when the four captains on the stage were asked if their sides made the final who they thought their opposition would be, they each chose a different opponent.
The Clifton T20 will be played on five grounds, two of them at the Crusaders Club, with the matches on the main oval being broadcast live on DStv Channel 216, while Northwood, DHS, and the Kingsmead Oval, just behind the famous test ground, are also being used.
A festive atmosphere, one of the hallmarks of the St John’s Rams T20 is expected, and Clifton, in hosting the event for the first time last year, did an outstanding job of mimicking the fun and traditional warmth of the Zimbabweans.
Therein lies one of the secrets of the Clifton T20. It brings together renowned cricket schools and while there is plenty on the field to keep the players busy, there is also plenty surrounding the fields to keep spectators – cricket fans and those with only a passing interest in the game – entertained, too.
If you can, don’t miss out and get down to the games and enjoy the entertainment. If you can’t make it, turn on DStv Channel 216 to watch the action from Crusaders Club or, if your favourite team is playing at a different venue, watch them in action on the SuperSport Schools app.
GROUPS
Group A: Clifton, Kearsney, Maritzburg College, and Michaelhouse.
Group B: DHS, Glenwood, Waterkloof, and St Charles.
Group C: Hilton College, Northwood, St John’s (Harare), and Westville Boys’ High
FIXTURES
Friday, 14 February
08:30 – St John’s vs Westville, Crusaders Main Oval
09:00 – DHS vs Glenwood, DHS
09:00 – Northwood vs Hilton Northwood
11:30 – Clifton vs Maritzburg College, Crusaders Main Oval
14:00 – Westville vs Hilton, DHS
14:00 – Northwood vs St John’s, Northwood
14:00 – St Charles vs Glenwood, Kingsmead Oval
14:00 – Kearsney vs Michaelhouse, Crusaders 2
14:30 – DHS vs Waterkloof, Crusaders Main Oval
Saturday, 15 February
08:30 – Clifton vs Michaelhouse, Crusaders Main Oval
09:00 – Waterkloof vs St Charles, DHS
09:00 – St John’s vs Hilton, Northwood
09:00 – Maritzburg College vs Kearsney, Kingsmead Oval
11:30 – Northwood vs Westville, Crusaders Main Oval
14:00 – DHS vs St Charles, DHS
14:00 – Maritzburg College vs Michaelhouse, Northwood
14:00 – Waterkloof vs Glenwood, Crusaders 2
14:30 – Clifton vs Kearsney, Crusaders Main Oval
Sunday, 16 February
08:30 – Eliminator 1, Crusaders Main Oval
09:00 – 7th Place, DHS
09:00 – 9th Place, Northwood
09:00 – 11th Place, Kingsmead Oval
11:30 – Semi-final 1, Crusaders Main Oval
11:30 – Semi-final 2, Crusaders 2
14:30 – Final, Crusaders Main Oval
