Massive Kempies and Moories clash has air of finals cricket
When Hoërskool Kempton Park and defending Easterns champions, Hoërskool Hans Moore, meet on Saturday in Kempton Park, there will be a hint of a final atmosphere in the air.
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The reason is that everything, more or less, comes down to the encounter between these two sides to determine who will represent the Easterns region in the Fain Noordvaal Competition, which follows the respective leagues. Both sides are still unbeaten.
There is a snag, however, in that both teams still need to catch up on matches in arrears from the previous round. Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen had prior arrangements prohibiting the scheduled fixture against the Moories, while Benoni High School still need to play against the Kempies, which could yet put a damper on Noordvaal qualification, if an upset happens.
That said, Saturday’s action between the two frontrunners of the league promises nothing less than exhilarating cricket. Exceptional batting lineups await to put each other to the test, while the bowling attacks, possessing some serious pace, could be a highlight from both sides.
Leading the fast bowling scene will be Khaya Majola opening bowler, Kristiaan du Plessis. It seemed as if Du Plessis had held back on his pace throughout the duration of the Kempies’ previous games, with what appears like a light toe injury hindering him. However, in the previous meeting between the two sides in the Finsbury League earlier this year, Du Plessis was lightning quick and had the Moorie batters at sixes and sevens.
Achieving this with the likes of Xavier Coetzee, Adrian Watson and the Shaw brothers at the crease was no mean feat and illustrated exactly what the Easterns selectors had noticed too. Danger.
The Moories, on the other hand, will be hoping that their quickie, Stephan Vermaak, will be able to charge onto the attack when he gets the opportunity. Vermaak’s back has been somewhat of a problem, but he will, without a doubt, be raring to go when he gets the green light to take the ball.
As mentioned, the Moories have their big four all in top form and batting in the top six, with Vermaak also boasting a century in recent outings. His contribution with the bat could play a major role if the back problems prohibit him from bowling.
For the Kempies, double centurion, Sheldon Kruger, and Shaun Nash hold the key in die middle order. They also have captain Marko Richter waiting in the wings, alongside wicketkeeper/batsman Stian de Villiers, who are neither shy of scoring runs when the need arises.
Another name looms, too, in the form of the experienced Wian Pieters, who will be a factor with both bat and ball, especially after he recently found form with the ball. This makes his battle with the Moories’ three-pronged spin attack an exciting one. Pieters will, in all likelihood, also open the batting and lay the necessary platform for the rest of his highly talented middle order.
