Rondebosch Cricket Club’s pursuit of success in the 2018-19 Western Province Cricket Association premier league has been raised by the recruitment of Ireland batsman Shane Getkate.
Getkate has played for Ireland A – and Ireland Under-19 at the 2010 World Cup in New Zealand. He represented Claremont Cricket Club a few seasons ago, too.
The 26-year-old all-rounder has scored 315 runs and taken 12 wickets in nine first-class appearances for the Northern Knights in the Cricket Ireland Inter-Provincial Championship.
Last month, Rondebosch Cricket Club named the talented Sean Hendrieck head coach.
Hendrieck opened the batting alongside fellow left-hander Michael Pote during the 2016-17 premier league, when Rondebosch Cricket Club finished in second position in the 10-team standings.
He did not feature in 2017-18, when Rondebosch Cricket Club occupied eighth position on a 12-team log prematurely closed by water shortages in Cape Town and surrounds.
Rondebosch Cricket Club have lost Pote and the experienced Martin Walters, but retained batsman Brad Barnes and fast bowler Myolisi Fumba. Spinner Robert Newby has returned.
The WPCA, meanwhile, have confirmed premier league and first division A cricket will change from two- to one-day competition for the 2018-19 season.
A proposal, largely based on feedback solicited from premier league and first division clubs and the recommendations of a task team, suggested the format swap.
The decision will stand for the 2018-19 season and, later, be re-evaluated for a potential return to two-day cricket in 2019-20.