Kraaifontein Cricket Club will compete in the Western Province Cricket Association premier league for the first time when the 2022-23 season arrives later this year.
Kraaifontein Cricket Club were promoted after topping the 2021-22 WPCA first division A standings with 13 wins – 10 with bonus points – and nine losses.
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‘Noticeable hunger to win the league’
“This is a fantastic achievement for Kraaifontein Cricket Club. We set big goals and worked hard toward them,” said player-coach Jeandre Jumat.
“Considering all the work that had been put in and all the efforts from the team, it was phenomenal to be the first division A winners and to do it in the very last match of the season.
“I know the hard work the players have put in over the last couple of years, but this year there was a noticeable hunger to win the league.
“We didn’t do ourselves justices in the beginning of the year as, we lost games which we should never have lost. This was quite disheartening for us. These losses made it so difficult to reach our goal.
“However, we learned from our mistakes and made sure we played for each other, for the badge and never gave up.
“In the beginning of March 2022, we were seventh on the WPCA first division A log and the wheels started to turn again slowly.
“We stuck to the basics and made sure, if we wanted to win the league or at least be among the top two teams, we had to win all our matches.
“We managed to do just that by winning the last four matches with bonus points. That is the ‘never say die attitude’ that we have as Kraaifontein Cricket Club.
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Opening batsman Wade Cupido was Kraaifontein Cricket Club’s top run-scorer in the 2021-22 WPCA first division A. He struck 704 runs in 22 innings.
Their highest wicket-taker for the season was seamer Craig Ephraim, who took 49 WPCA first division A wickets.
Sisonke Mazele
“We had the services of Western Province Colts player Mazele, who did an outstanding job for us by taking 39 wickets for the season. ‘Soso’ has been a very important player for us and also so consistent in his game. I foresee a great future for him,” added Jumat.
Promotion and relegation
Kraaifontein Cricket Club will move into the WPCA premier league alongside Ottoman Cricket Club, who have also been promoted after finishing in second position in the first division A.
Ottoman Cricket Club and Kraaifontein Cricket Club effectively beat late first division A title contenders Tygerberg Cricket Club and the University of Cape Town Cricket Club to premier league promotion.
Bellville Cricket Club and Victoria Cricket Club have been relegated from the WPCA premier league to the first division A, which will also include Avendale Cricket Club and Kuils River Cricket Club for the 2022-23 season.