Tag: George Linde

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Kyle Simmonds Crowned Overall Division 1 SACA MVP

The 2025/26 domestic cricket season concludes with Western Province all-rounder Kyle Simmonds named Division 1 Overall SACA MVP. Simmonds earned…

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Liam Alder Named Overall SACA MVP for Domestic Division 2

Following the completion of all domestic fixtures, Liam Alder of the Garden Route Badgers finished at the top of the…

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TWELVE YEARS OF RESEARCH-BASED PLAYER SERVICE

Over the past 12 years, the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has cemented its dedication to evidence-based practice through a…

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Dayyaan Galiem Crowned Division 1 T20 SACA MVP

Titans all-rounder Dayyaan Galiem has been named the Division 1 T20 SACA MVP for the 2024/25 season. The 27-year-old’s consistent performances across all facets of the game earned him 141.697 points in ten matches.

The SACA MVP uses an internationally recognized rankings system to measure the key influencers in CSA’s domestic competitions. The domestic SACA MVP algorithm, developed by SACA and administered by cricket statistician Andrew Samson, identifies the most valuable performers in domestic cricket.

Galiem’s impact was felt throughout the tournament. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball, combined with his fielding prowess, made him a valuable asset to the Titans. The all-rounder’s consistent run-scoring and wicket-taking abilities, coupled with his sharp fielding, propelled him to the top of the T20 MVP standings, finishing 30 points ahead of second-place Western Province, George Linde (111.430) and North West captain Wihan Lubbe (103.266).

The Titans all-rounder finished the competition with a strike rate of 126.11, 12 wickets, and five catches.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be named the SACA MVP. I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent the Titans and contribute to the team’s success. A lot of work has been put into developing my game, and so far, it’s turned out well, which I’m grateful and happy about. I’m excited to continue building on these achievements, but nothing would be possible if it weren’t for the right people guiding me and supporting me,” said Galiem.

SACA rewards MVP winners with prize money for their performances in the Division 1 SACA MVP. The top 30 players in the SACA Overall MVP, the top 10 players in the 4Day Competition, the top 10 in the CSA One-Day Cup, and the top 10 in the CSA T20 Challenge are all eligible for prize money.

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VERREYNNE STEERS COBRAS TO VICTORY AGAINST THE KNIGHTS

A masterclass maiden century by Kyle Verreynne anchored a superb chase by the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras as they edged out the VKB  Knights by three wickets for their first win of the Momentum One-Day Cup season in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night.

The young right-hander carved out an unbeaten 114 from 119 balls (12 fours) as the visitors chased down 283 with three deliveries to spare.

His hugely mature innings, which well surpassed his previous best of 84, came after his side had slipped to 15 for three, but the 21-year-old shared in three 50 plus partnerships that dragged his side out of trouble and to the first win of their 2018/19 campaign.

Earlier there were three half-centurions for the home side that lifted them to a competitive 282 for six. Andries Gous (60 off 79 balls, 7 fours), Keegan Petersen (52 off 75 balls, 1 fours, 2 sixes) and Ryan McLaren (56 off 56 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) all shone for the Central franchise after they had won the toss and elected to bat first at the Mangaung Oval.

Grant Mokoena (20) and Gous put on 57 for the first wicket, while there were 71 added by the third-wicket pair of Petersen and McLaren, who was promoted to bat at four.

The in-form Petersen then added a further 49 with captain Pite van Biljon (25), before Patrick Kruger’s late flourish of 39 from 19 balls gave the home side a competitive total.

Akhona Mnyaka was the pick of the bowlers with two for 61.

Marchant de Lange (three for 45) and Mbulelo Budaza (one for 33) then knocked over the top three of the Cobras for next to nothing, bringing Verreynne to the middle in only the fourth over of the chase. He then went on to bat for more than 45 overs, first sharing a partnership of 83 with Jason Smith (40) for the fourth wicket.

Aviwe Mgijima (38) brought more support after the dismissal of the latter with a 69-run fifth-wicket partnership, while 21 by George Linde helped keep the momentum going after the next wicket fell.

Dane Piedt then played a vital hand with his 36, which enabled the Cobras to bolster their total by another 67 for the seventh wicket and, even after the skipper fell, the victory was in sight for Verreynne.

Dane Paterson helped add the finishing touches – the visitors getting home in the final over.

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MZANSI SUPER LEAGUE ANNOUNCES FINALISED T20 SQUADS

The inaugural Mzansi Super League (MSL) T20 Player Draft was held today at Montecasino in Johannesburg today.

Each team had already been allocated a Marquee Standard Bank Protea player. Today the teams made their picks from the six International Marquee Players and then filled the remaining 14 places in each squad from the foreign and South African players who had applied to enter the draft.

In the mini-round to select the International Marquee Players, the Durban heat had first call and went for Rashid Khan of Afghanistan, the No. 1 ranked bowler in the current ICC T20 rankings. They were followed by the Jozi Stars who went for Chris Gayle of the Windies. Paarl Rocks followed with another Windies player, Dwayne Bravo. Cape Town Blitz then took Dawid Malan of England followed by Tshwane Spartans with England white ball captain Eoin Morgan and Nelson Mandela Bay Giants with England opening batsman Jason Roy.

In round one proper, the Giants led off with Chris Morris, followed by the Spartans with Lungi Ngidi, the Blitz with Andile Phehlukwayo, the Rocks with Tabraiz Shamsi, the Stars with Kolpak star Dane Vilas and the Heat with David Miller.

Lutho Sipamla became the first rookie to be chosen in Round Eight by the Spartans and they followed with another rookie in Tony de Zorzi in Round Nine. Other rookies signed were Sinethemba Qeshile for the Stars, Dyllan Matthews for the Giants, Okuhle Cele for the Heat, Eathan Bosch for the Rocks, and Kyle Verreynne for the Blitz.

The resulting teams are a unique blend of both local youth and international experience which is sure to make for some very exciting cricket.

The Draft order was predetermined by a weighted Player Matrix system. The players who are eligible for the main Draft are those who entered into a binding agreement to enter the Draft.

FINAL SQUADS

(in order of Protea Marquee Player, International Marquee Player, and then the 14 draft rounds, making a total of 16 players per squad)

CAPE TOWN BLITZ: Quinton de Kock, Dawid Malan (England), Andile Phehlukwayo, Dale Steyn, Samuel Badree (Windies), Asif Ali (Pakistan), Farhaan Behardien, Anrich Nortje, Janneman Malan, Malusi Siboto, George Linde, Ferisco Adams, Jason Smith, Sibonelo Makhanya, Kyle Verreynne (rookie), Dane Piedt.

DURBAN HEAT: Hashim Amla, Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Kyle Abbott (kolpak), Keshav Maharaj, Khaya Zondo, Albie Morkel, Marchant de Lange (kolpak), Vernon Philander, Brandon Mavuta (Zimbabwe), Temba Bavuma, Morne van Wyk, Okuhle Cele (rookie), Sarel Erwee, Tladi Bokako.

JOZI STARS: Kagiso Rabada, Chris Gayle (Windies), Dane Vilas, Rassie van der Dussen, Daniel Christian (Australia), Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius, Eddie Leie, Pite van Biljon, Duanne Olivier, Ryan Rickelton, Sinethemba Qeshile (rookie), Simon Harmer, Calvin Savage, Alfred Mothoa.

NELSON MANDELA BAY GIANTS: Imran Tahir, Jason Roy (England), Chris Morris, Jon-Jon Smuts, Junior Dala, Christiaan Jonker, Aaron Phangiso, Ben Duckett (England), Sisanda Magala, Ryan McLaren, Heino Kuhn, Marco Marais, Dyllan Matthews (rookie), Lizaad Williams, Rudi Second, Carmi le Roux.

PAARL ROCKS: Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Bravo (Windies), Tabraiz Shamsi, Dane Paterson, Aiden Markram, Mangaliso Mosehle, Bjorn Fortuin, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Grant Thomson, Paul Stirling (Ireland), Tshepo Moreki, Henry Davids, Cameron Delport , Eathan Bosch (rookie), Patrick Kruger, Kerwin Mungroo.

TSHWANE SPARTANS: AB de Villiers, Eoin Morgan (England), Lungi Ngidi, Robbie Frylinck, Jeewan Mendis (Sri Lanka), Theunis de Bruyn, Rory Kleinveldt, Sean Williams (Zimbabwe), Gihahn Cloete, Lutho Sipamla (rookie), Tony de Zorzi (rookie), Dean Elgar, Andrew Birch, Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), Shaun von Berg, Eldred Hawken.

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FRYLINCK BLASTS DOLPHINS TO THRILLING WIN

Robbie Frylinck struck two sixes from the final two deliveries to help the Hollywoodbets Dolphins to close the gap on the top two in the Momentum One-Day Cup with a thrilling three-wicket final-ball win over the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras in Paarl on Wednesday.

The Standard Bank Proteas all-rounder, who earlier took three wickets, held his nerve facing up to the inexperienced Ferisco Adams as the visitors made heavy weather towards the end of a 290-run chase at Eurolux Boland Park.

They should have cruised to victory after a supreme 161-run opening stand between Sarel Erwee and Morne van Wyk.

Veteran Van Wyk recorded the 24th century of his career after a constructive 107 (137 balls, 10 fours, 1 six), while fellow opener Erwee clubbed 80 (69 balls, 9 fours, 2 sixes).

The pair had left their side in a powerful position and they were on 240 for three at the end of 43 overs – with 50 needed from seven overs.

However, Adams (2/69) then removed Sibonelo Makhanya (19) and Calvin Savage (3), with George Linde (2/48) starting the slide by removing Van Wyk and Andile Phehlukwayo (20) taken out by Mthiwekhaya Nabe (1/46), leaving the Dolphins in a state of panic.

They still needed 13 from the final six balls and Frylinck kept his cool with 14 off six deliveries to take the Dolphins to within a point of the Cobras and Multiply Titans at the summit.

Earlier, it was JP Duminy who led from the front as the home side amassed 289 for six.

The captain plundered 86 (66 balls, 6 fours, 2 sixes), with Pieter Malan hitting 62 (88 balls, 5 fours).

Frylinck was the pick of the Dolphins bowlers, taking three for 44, and ended as their star man at the end after his big-hitting took them over the line.

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SMUTS HUNDRED GETS WARRIORS OVER THE LINE

Captain Jon-Jon Smuts celebrated the 100th appearance of his formidable List A career with a fine century, as the Warriors completed a comfortable 90-run victory over the BuildNat Cape Cobras in Sunday’s key Momentum One-Day Cup fixture at PPC Newlands in Cape Town.

Smuts’s 173 not out from 164 deliveries, which included nine fours and eight handsome sixes, carried the visitors to a plentiful final total of 305 for six in the allotted 50 overs.

Registering a career-best score, the highest of this year’s tournament and the third largest in the history of List A cricket in South Africa, the hard-hitting right-hander offered the national selectors a timely reminder of his limited-overs prowess, ahead of June’s ICC Champions Trophy in the United Kingdom.

The 28-year-old reached 100 off a measured 133 deliveries – and became increasingly cavalier en route to 150 off a further 22. Particularly severe on seamers Rory Kleinveldt and Dane Paterson through the closing throes, he was earlier equally adept at negotiating the wile and guile of spinners Eddie Leie, George Linde and Dane Piedt.

Smuts cherished fruitful support from fellow opening batsman Gihahn Cloete, whose 70 from 75 laid a decent foundation for middle-order duo Colin Ingram and Colin Ackermann to capitalise. Ingram and Ackermann briskly moved to 20 and 23, respectively, but were unable to convert quick cameos into the longer-term substance enjoyed by Cloete and Smuts.

On loan from the bizhub Highveld Lions, legspinner Leie proved the pick of the bowlers. His telling haul of four for 56 included the important dismissals of Cloete, Ingram and Ackermann. Paterson, meanwhile, was the worst of the lot. He travelled for an expensive 83 runs across nine wicketless overs.

The Cobras’ reply was spearheaded by centurion Richard Levi, but ultimately lacked enough stamina to hearten a Newlands crowd dotted with disappointed Cape Town Cycle Tour participants, after the world-famous event was cancelled due to severe winds earlier in the day.

Levi hammered a 70-ball 106, lined with 14 fours and a trio of sixes, but his questionable decision to briefly retire hurt before returning to reach three figures proved detrimental to the collective cause.

His initial and final departure saw the home side collapse from a promising 128 for two to an irreparable 193 for eight – and finally 215 all out in 37.3 overs.

Like their opposition, the Warriors deployed three spin bowlers – and benefited, in particular, from the leg-breaks of former skipper Ingram (three for 53) – and seamer Ayabulela Gqamane’s two for 22.

Host captain Piedt, when all was said and done, was left to ponder his decision to field first after winning the toss. His choice wasn’t necessarily incorrect, but he would have hoped for a sub-220 target, not 300-plus.

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COBRAS COUNTING ON EXPERIENCE OF KEMP AND PETERSON

The Cape Cobras will fall back on the experience of an old hand in Justin Kemp as they look to overcome the loss of overseas star, Kieron Pollard, in Sunday’s crunch RAM SLAM T20 clash against the bizhub Highveld Lions at Bidvest Wanderers.

Pollard was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after injuring his right knee during last Sunday’s win over the Knights in Paarl, handing the Cobras their latest blow in a campaign beset by injuries and non-availabilities.

Wayne Parnell, Rory Kleinveldt, Robin Peterson and George Linde have all spent time on the sidelines during the tournament, while Pollard was absent for a week when he was called up to the West Indian Twenty20 side in Sri Lanka.

“We’ve been in the wars in this tournament,” said Cobras coach, Paul Adams.

However, Adams had three causes for cheer this week, two of them on the injury front as Parnell showed promising recovery from his foot injury and Peterson also improved swiftly enough to suggest that he will be available on Sunday.

The third fillip is the depth of the Cobras’ resources, which allows Adams to call on someone like Kemp – who will play his 100th T20 match – to fill the gap left by Pollard.

“Kempy has been around very much as a mentor, practising with the guys and staying in touch with the game, so for us it’s about bringing in that experience,” said Adams.

“Also Robbie has recovered nicely so it’s a very experienced side that we take into the weekend, which is at the business end, so hopefully some of their calmness will rub on to the younger players.”

The Cobras currently sit in third place, but could lose that position if they lose to the Lions, who are just four points behind.

The Lions had the opportunity to draw level on points on Wednesday night, but blew their chance by losing to the Knights, making Sunday’s game all the more important.

“Everyone knows where we stand,” said Lions captain, Thami Tsolekile. “If we had won on Wednesday night then it would have taken the pressure off, but now every game has become a must-win.”

Tsolekile acknowledged that batting remains the main problem for the Lions, but suggested that they wouldn’t want conditions to try and make up for that in Sunday’s game.

“Ideally we don’t want the wicket to be too quick, because our spin bowling has been one of our main strengths,” he pointed out. “That said, the Wanderers has always got pace, even when it’s turning.”

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COBRAS SPINNING RESOURCES PUT TO THE TEST

The Cape Cobras head into their crucial RAM SLAM T20 clash with The Unlimited Titans at PPC Newlands on Friday without their best two spinners after George Linde joined Robin Peterson on the injured list.

Linde fractured a finger on his bowling hand during the five-wicket win over the Dolphins on Sunday, and so the Cobras have called on Siya Simetu for their two upcoming games this weekend.

The Simetu was a regular fixture in the Cape Cobras side during the 2013/14 RAM SLAM, but did not feature at all last season and will need to adapt to the pace of the competition quickly.

The defending champions currently sit third with 12 points from five games, and will need to rein in the Titans after their bonus-point victory over the Dolphins on Wednesday put them top of the table with 21 points.

“This is a key game – we need to take some points off the Titans now that they’re top of the log. We need to make sure that we’re ticking,” said Cobras coach, Paul Adams.

“We haven’t had the perfect game yet, and that’s what the players are striving for. We keep presenting that in front of them and hopefully it comes as we get close to the end of the league phase.”

A big part of the Unlimited Titans’ success during their winning streak, which stretched to five games on Wednesday, has been their ability to think on their feet.

“We’ve played on some funny wickets so far – some turners and some up-and-down wickets – so we’ve had to adapt our bowling plans on the field and I think that’s one thing we’ve done well so far,” reflected Titans captain, Albie Morkel. “We’ve assessed the situations quite nicely.”

Lungi Ngidi missed Wednesday’s game because he was writing exams, but has joined the Titans squad for the game against the Cobras.

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