From the captain – Ernest Kemm has his say
The captain of the NC Heat, Ernest Kemm, also shared his perspective on the challenges of the Four Day Series and the team’s journey to victory with the DFA.
“Spending four days in the Northern Cape sun is not easy, and travelling out of town is always a difficult thing. We had a very slow start. We had a draw against the Eastern Storm, and then we lost badly against the Itec Knights (at the start of this season’s competition).
“After that slow start, we had deep talks with each other, and we were hard on each other because we knew that we could do better and what we were capable of. We then started playing really good cricket after that chat. We beat Mpumalanga and SWD playing away, and that gave us good momentum. It gave back the belief that we were capable of winning the series. We then ended up with a very strong Limpopo team, and that was an amazing match from both teams. We made the right calls at the right time, and by doing so, we won the match and secured a home final,” Kemm said as he painted the path to the final.
As for the final, Kemm acknowledged the challenge. “The very strong Knights team held us on our toes. They pushed us hard and really gave us a challenge,” he said. “But we are really happy that we can lift that trophy at the end of the day. I am sure the boys are feeling the pain in their bodies, but the pain was worth it at the end of the day.
“I am super proud of the boys; every one of them came to the party to achieve this win. We are now looking ahead to the T20, which is fun and challenging at the same time,” added the skipper. “We are looking forward to being tested and challenged, and we will see who will be putting up their hands in the T20 to win this tournament for us as well,” concluded Kemm.
The captain’s reflections offer insight into the team’s resilience and determination, highlighting their journey from adversity to triumph.
His words resonate with the spirit of perseverance and camaraderie that define the Northern Cape Heat.