FLIPPING BOOK CHRONICLE 2024

team and the school, and they have since become players to watch in the future.

this is a challenge that we are proud to face, as it reflects the increasing popularity of cricket at the school and the strong foundation of talent we have developed. This season also saw a visit from franchise coaches, who assisted in the development of our boys. The input from these experienced professionals was invaluable, providing our players with new perspectives and insights into the game. These coaching sessions were an excellent opportunity for our players to learn from some of the best in the business, and the impact of this expertise will be felt for years to come. As we look back on the 2024 season, it is clear that Michaelhouse cricket continues to thrive. The successes of the U14 teams, the dominance of the U16A team, and the strong performances from the First XI at the independent schools’ festival and in league play are just a few examples of the high standards of cricket being played at the school. With the growing number of players showing interest in the game, the future of Michaelhouse cricket looks bright. The challenge now is to continue nurturing this talent and ensuring that every player has the opportunity to develop his skills to the fullest. This is a challenge that we, as a school and as coaches, are more than ready to take on, and we look forward to another exciting year of cricket in 2025.

The U16A team’s season was nothing short of remarkable. Under the guidance of their coaches, the team remained unbeaten throughout the year, a testament to the hard work and dedication that the players and coaches put into their preparations. This dominance was built on a solid team foundation, with key contributions from several players. Thandanani Zuma and Liam O’Dwyer were instrumental in the team’s success, providing not only strong leadership but also outstanding individual performances. Zuma’s consistency with the bat and O’Dwyer’s all-round abilities played a huge role in the team’s success. Equally important were Graydon Leslie and Benjamin Heuer, whose composure under pressure and match-winning contributions ensured that close games often went in favour of the boys from Balgowan. The U16As proved themselves against some of the top schools in the region, including Hilton, Clifton College and St Charles, among others. These victories showcased the team’s strength and ability to compete with the best, and the unbeaten season remains one of the highlights of the 2024 cricket year at Michaelhouse. The first team had a successful outing at the independent schools’ festival in Pretoria, hosted by St Alban’s. The team enjoyed impressive wins against St Alban’s and St George’s College (Zimbabwe), two teams that have a rich cricketing history. These victories were important in maintaining momentum heading into the second half of the season. The team’s performances at the festival were a reflection of the hard work that had been put in during the off-season and the early part of the year. The team showed tremendous skill and resilience, and their successes on the field were a testament to the level of cricket played at Michaelhouse. As the season progressed into the third and fourth quarters, the U14A, U15A and First XI faced strong opposition in their fixtures. These included matches against Glenwood, Queen’s College (Eastern Cape) and St Benedict’s. These fixtures were vital in preparing the teams for their upcoming tours and final matches of the season. The teams approached these fixtures with determination, and all three remained unbeaten. Standout performances included Hayden Hewlett’s 123 not out against St Benedict’s, and Jean-Luc Rey’s 5/5 against Queen’s. These individual feats were great examples of the level of talent in the Michaelhouse cricketing community. One of the most exciting developments this year has been the growth of the Michaelhouse Cricket Club. More and more pupils are expressing interest in playing the game, and this has led to a significant increase in the number of teams across all age groups.

CRICKET 2024

TEAM

P

W

L

D

WR

1ST XI 2ND XI 3RD XI 4TH XI 5TH XI 6TH XI

38 10 11 13

27

11

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 5

71.1

6 9

4 2 3 2 3 1 4 3 0 0 0 2 6 7 6 5 5 5

60

81.8 76.9 77.8

10

9 4 1 5 5 5 7 5 3

7 1 0 1 1 5 7 5 1 3 1 4

25

U18 1ST

0

U17A U17B U16A U16B U16C U16D U15A U15B U15C U14A U14B U14C U14D

20 20

100 100 100 33.3 57.1 12.5 28.6 70.6 58.3 58.3 53.9 30

21 10

12

8

14 17 12 12

10

12

7 7

This growth presents its own challenges, particularly in terms of ensuring that all players get ample game time. However,

TOTALS:

210

126

79

142