Subrayen stuns Titans
HE SPENT more than three-and-ahalf seasons on the sidelines, but when spinner Prenelan Subrayen got to play a first class match for the Dolphins over the weekend his performance was sublime.
Subrayen was the constant thorn in the Titans team’s flesh, especially in the second innings, as they went in search of a meagre 91 runs for victory, in a Sunfoil Series four-day match played at the Pietermaritzburg Oval.
The Dolphins eventually lost the contest by two wickets, but, with a five-wicket haul in the Titans’ second innings, the cricketer from Verulam almost single-handedly drove his team to an improbable victory.
With one game left to play in this competition, the win moved the Titans to the top of the Sunfoil Series standings. They have amassed 94.62 points.
The Dolphins sit in fourth place on 84.68 points.
“We would have loved a victory. It didn’t happen for us, but our performance has given us confidence for the remaining matches of the competition,” said Subrayen.
While his bowling performance in the second innings was a career best for the 23-year-old, he said he would rather focus on what his team have achieved.
“I never play for milestones. It’s always about the team. But my performance has given me much confidence. I just wish we could have got those two remaining wickets.”
Subrayen said he was grateful for the opportunity to play for the Dolphins after such a lengthy time out of the fourday team.
“I felt as if I was perhaps not good enough to play the longer version of the game for the Dolphins.”
He said his goal at the start of the current season was to play in all competitions the Dolphins contested.
Good performances for the Dolphins B team helped Subrayen’s selection for the Titans clash.
Knowing the Oval would be conducive to spin-bowling, Subrayen set out to influence the outcome of match.
The Titans had built up a 102-run lead after both teams completed their first innings.
Scoring 192 in their second innings placed the Dolphins on the back foot.
But as they walked on to the field of play to defend their 90-run lead, Subrayen suggested to his captain, Khaya Zondo, that he wanted to open the bowling.
Zondo obliged and Subrayen repaid the faith shown in him by getting a wicket in the second over. He bagged further scalps during his non-stop bowling spell, which lasted almost 16 overs.
Subrayen said his mentor, best friend and Dolphin teammate, Keshav Maharaj, who has been a star performer for the Proteas Test team in recent times, kept encouraging him throughout the match.
“Come on boy, you’re bowling beautifully”, were among Maharaj’s words of encouragement, Subrayen said.
“I’ve taken much out of Keshav’s book. He has taught me many things about the game.”
He also acknowledged the efforts of the team’s wicketkeeper, Darryn Smit.
“It was a privilege to have played in Darryn (Smith’s) 100th match for the Dolphins. Credit must go to him for his excellent keeping in difficult conditions.”
After he made the SA Under19 team, captained by Keaton Jennings, in 2011, it was widely believed that Subrayen would grow into a top performer.
He was quickly ushered into the Dolphins camp after that, his career on the rise.
However, his bowling action was called into question in 2012 and again in November 2015.
He was subsequently disallowed from bowling until he remedied his action, and his future in the game became doubtful.
But Subrayen wasn’t prepared to give up without a fight.
He readjusted his action and had it retested at Cricket SA’s High Performance Centre in March last year.
His action was approved and he was cleared to play once again.
Front-line duty for the Dolphins eventually came against the Titans this weekend.
“The time out of Dolphins action had tested my self-belief, but I was motivated to work harder to establish myself in the team.
“I’ve returned a much wiser player and with all my bowling variations intact. I’m not prepared to break my head over whether I’ll be picked for the Dolphins’ next game against the Cobras, which begins tomorrow.
“I’ll focus on doing my best and everything else will take care of itself.”