“When I was a boy…”

It was the final of the 1993/94 Benson & Hedges day/night series held at Kingsmead.  Natal vs Orange Free State.  All the international stars were back from Australia.  Hansie Cronje and Allan Donald for the visitors, and Andrew Hudson and Jonty Rhodes for the home boys.  Our whole family of 5 planned to go, however the children tickets were sold out and we were left to purchase the R30 adult tickets.  We couldn’t afford all so just my dad and I went and were squeezed in between other spectators in the grand stands.  The game was pathetic with the Dolphins being bundled out by Donald and Bradley Player for 105.  Andrew Hudson’s 47 helped alleviate some embarassment for the home team.  Hansie Cronje was out cheaply and suddenly the game was on, but Kosie Venter’s multiple sixes put paid to any chance of a surprise.  OFS won.

The stadium was packed to the rafters.  14 seasons later we are struggling to fill the stadiums of the local limited-overs finals or even have half the stadium filled.  Too much cricket is being played and the locals are having to choose when to spend their money.  Domestic cricket is the feeder system to international cricket, but when Cricket South Africa tells the international players to take a few weeks off during the domestic season, this discourages the crowds.  No offense to Mr. Tsolekile or Mr. Benji Hector, but the Newlands faithful want to watch Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis, not the unknowns mentioned above.  It is those names that bring in the crowds. 

A few seasons ago I was watching Natal play a Standard Bank match against minnows, Griquas.  The stadium was 2/3 full.  Why?  Because Hudson, Rhodes, Lance Klusener and Shaun Pollock were playing for the home team.  Griquas had the services of Kepler Wessels and Pat Symcox.

If the sponsors want to receive their value for the millions they pump into domestic cricket, then they need to have a say in how the tournaments and selections are regulated.  If the administrators want to continue to pay themselves fat cheques, then they need to let their stars play.

Is this about money?  No.  In that same 1993/94 season, Natal were playing against Western Province at Kingsmead.  An 18-year old Dale Benkenstein (remember him?) was batting with Malcolm Marshall and was struggling against Meyrick Pringle and Eric Simons.  Marshall, with all his experience, hit a few out of the park.  Watching from the other end, this sort of batting gave Benkenstein the confidence to try his own luck and pounded a huge one into the north stand. 

If you’re at the crease and your name is Stiaan van Zyl and your team is 15/4 after 5 overs, chasing 140 to win in a Pro20, would you want Benji Hector (sorry sir, that’s twice in this blog for you) joining you at the crease to help you get out of your shell, or would you want an Ashwell Prince or a Mark Boucher?

The Cobras can pack their team with international players and have the youngsters learn all that they can, even if its only in the practice sessions.  So, Ryan Canning and Vernon Philander will be subjected to learning their trades at franchise level from franchise players, when CSA has the opportunity of allowing them to learn from Kallis, Smith and Boucher.

Don’t be surprised if Monde Zondeki improves as a bowler over the winter while he plies his trade at Edgbaston.  He’ll be learning from seasoned professionals such as Dougie Brown, Ian Salisbury, Mike Powell, Sanath Jayasuria, Ian Bell and a coach by the name of Allan Donald.  Not so at Western Province, where he has to develop his skills from Charl Langeveldt alone.

Tags: allan donald, benson and hedges, boucher, canning, cobras, cricket, day/night, donald, edgbaston, kallis, newlands, philander, warwickshire, western province, zondeki