Kyle Abbott back in Durban and ready to take the Heat to heart
A FANCY bar nestled at the tip of the uShaka Pier provided a breathtaking backdrop for the launch of Durban’s newest cricket team. With the sparkling, Indian Ocean in the background, the aptly named Durban Heat was unveiled to a small gathering of prominent cricket people last Friday.
Under the guidance of Dolphins coach Grant Morgan, the Heat are primed to do battle in the inaugural Mzansi Super League next month. The competition is South Africa’s very own version of the Indian Premier League.
With the likes of Hashim Amla, David Miller, Keshav Maharaj and Afghanistan spin wizard Rashid Khan in their ranks, it’s a team burgeoning with talent. In fact, they have already been touted as favourites to win the competition, which gets under way on November 16.
Heat’s marketing team launched the outfit in spectacular fashion. Zulu dancers entertained the crowd while they set off coloured smoke into the air, symbolising the province’s diverse heritage.
Amid the fanfare, in walked a tall, imposing figure. Familiar to these parts but almost forgotten to the local cricket fraternity. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess.
Former Proteas and Dolphins fast bowler Kyle Abbott is back in the city and ready to turn up the heat.
Abbott, who retired from international cricket last year to take up a Kolpak deal with Hampshire, already has two seasons of county cricket under his belt. The Empangeni-born speedster took 60 wickets in his debut campaign and has picked up 51 scalps this year.
Abbott’s association with the Proteas set-up has been a stop-start affair. Selectors often opted for the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander over him.
He was also left out of the 2015 semifinal against Australia in favour of Philander because certain transformation targets had to be fulfilled by Cricket South Africa.
When Abbott announced that he would turn his back on the Proteas in January 2017 during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Cape Town, it was naturally met with plenty of criticism. His decision to leave, however, was based solely on survival, while he was at the peak of his powers. A four-year contract in England offered him financial freedom and peace of mind. However, that sweet deal came with some obvious repercussions here in South Africa.
Wearing the Proteas jersey had always been Abbot’s dream, but feeding his family ranked higher.
Should Abbott be faulted for putting his and his family’s needs ahead of what the country wanted, given the fact that he often had to play second fiddle to others when it came to team selection?
After all, as every sportsman knows, the window period to deliver at the highest level both mentally and physically is minute. Abbott wore an infectious smile at the launch. Then again, why wouldn’t he be happy? The ink on his recently-signed Durban Heat contract worth R750 000 is still fresh.
South Africa is bursting at the seams with talent but the reality is that only a handful will get a chance to wear the green-and-gold.
How many wicketkeepers got the nod, during the Mark Boucher era?
With opportunities to play top-notch cricket around the world at an all-time high, we need to accept that sport is now big business, more than it has ever been before. Back home, Abbot is ready to wear his heart on his sleeve for the Durban Heat, much like he has done for every other team he has turned out for.
I think we can all take a leaf out of Abbot’s book here. For too long we remain loyal to a brand – often we stare opportunity in the eye but don’t have the courage to take the leap.
Naicker is an award winning eNCA sports journalist