BY Nkosazana Ngwadla
Six young cricket players in the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Cricket Club have been added to the Central Gauteng Lions squad. This is in addition to two UJ players, Ronan Hermann and alumnus Ryan Rickleton, having secured professional contracts at the Lions and Proteas, respectively.
Kieron Croome, Daniel van der Merwe, Ethan Perry, Zakwan Patel, Sahil Bramdhaw, Khaya Fakude, and Nicolas Whitelaw, were given the opportunity to showcase their talent at the Lions. While there are new additions, van der Merwe was in the squad since the 2022 season.
The players have played a key part in leading the UJ senior men’s cricket team to top finishes this season. Recently, the UJ Premier B T20 cricket team won the Black Widow tournament in April 2023, defeating Glenvista in the final.
The University’s Cricket Club has produced several players who have consistently went on to play for professional and national teams. Rising cricket star and a UJ student, Levert Manje, was selected as part of the Imperial Lions T20 squad that traveled to Namibia for the 2022 Global T20. The team participated in the Richelieu Eagles and Lahore Qalandars in September 2022. Manje made his Lions debut in March 2022 and has a rookie professional contract with the Lions team.
Other players such as Ryan Rickleton, who now plays for the Proteas (SA senior men’s cricket team), Liam Alder, and Ronan Hermann have made significant moves in professional teams in the past two years. Both Hermann and Alder played for the South African Under-19 squad in the 2022 World Cup in the West Indies.
Expressing his pride and confidence in their abilities, UJ Cricket Club Manager and Coach, Siyabonga Sibiya said, “We are proud of the gents and know that the journey will be great. We wish them the best of luck with their exams and preparations going into the new season.”
Image and source: University of Johannesburg
