Lungani Zama
make a pledge for all-out attack, but not every pitch allows for that, as Kingsmead proved. India’s tracks for the upcoming bludgeon-fest will, no doubt, be as flat as the dainty chapatti at the Taj Hotel, but they will still require a modicum of sensibility.
In a way, it would make a lot of sense to have De Villiers walk in at first drop, perhaps, as Virat Kohli does for India. If he only strides to the wicket after 12 overs, it is safe to say that South Africa would have a handy platform for him to construct his scoring “Manhattan” upon. De Kock and Amla are hardly slouches themselves and, what’s more, they have a wonderful chemistry developed over countless canters in one-day cricket.
This is not a decision to be taken lightly, but it is hardly the only one that the suits will be sweating over. Where does Dale Steyn slot in, given the strides that Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Abbott have made with the new ball and at the death over the last year?
What of David Wiese and Chris Morris? Miller and Rilee Rossouw? There are mini playoffs going on even in the midst of trying to win this series, and to take serious momentum into their latest jaunt in India.
Miller won the match for South Africa on Friday, but he also bought himself that priceless commodity at the elite level: time. Had he failed, he may well have been the next waiter in the bib, serving drinks with a side-order of urgent instructions.
It appears easier to try and pick four to leave out, rather than 11 to play. The image of Amla the waiter, though, is still hard to shake off. It just doesn’t look right, even if he would be the first to say that there is no ‘I’ in team… Who would want to be a selector now? Conditions: Mostly sunny and humid. Rock and surf: A slow week has passed for anglers along the KZN Coast. As we move down the coast, things start to calm down and by uMdloti surf fishing tapered off to a standstill. The amount of baitfish along the backline was incredible and anglers were lucky to have a spinning rod and hooked a few unstoppable fish. With a recent influx of fresh water to the harbour, fishing seems to have slowed down a bit, leaving deep waters around the harbour mouth the most productive. Scottburgh Point saw good action, with grey sharks, honeycomb rays and sand sharks coming out in full force. In the Transkei, shark fishing has been a dream, with multiple catches reported all week long, ranging from gully to hammerhead, grey sharks and everything in between. Richards Bay harbour produced good fish over the weekend, including a number of diamond, honeycomb and brown rays. A few grey sharks have been seen patrolling the shallows around the banks in the harbour, which have also been caught by anglers targeting them with small live baits and also larger fleshy baits. The south side towards Mtunzini has been producing good fish recently. There have been a limited number of species available. Diamond rays and a few black fin sharks have been more or less the only available species present. For more info, go online to kingfisher.co.za Weekly Tip: Kosi Bay had a great run and had the local anglers landing huge GTs in the lakes, including a GT on or around 30kg caught by a local, using live bait. Many fish caught by the locals are not released, so anglers fishing in these areas are urged to make an concerted effort to promote the release of all Kingfish in order to bank on a healthy supply for forthcoming years. Every fish makes a difference. TIDES, WINDS, ETC.: Sunrise: 5.51am; Sunset: 6.23pm; Temp: 22°C/32°C; Sea: 24.4°C; UV risk: 7 (High); Thunderstorms: 24%; Wind: 13km/h (NE) Full Moon: March 23; Tides: Neap (Low), Low; 08.15am, 20.30pm (0.4m); High: 2.15am, 14.30pm (1.8m); Sea: 2.1m swell.
Badminton
March 28 – 3 April: SA U15 tournament to be held at the NBA hall, 33 Cobham Grove. Masters team selected to represent KZN in the upcoming tournament in Robertson, May 15: Men: Rian Vorster, Craig Sim, Mark Niewenhuys, Ivan Botha, Ladies: Lydia Vorster, Emelda Botha, Bonnie Diamond, Tina de Waal.
Bowls
March 28: Bowls Spec Savers Easter Pro 10 Pairs. Registration 8.45am for 9am start. Stella Park Bowling Club, Pro 10 nominated pairs (any gender) - 3 games of 10 ends. Cost: R40 per team. R1 000 prize money plus prizes. To enter, call Trevor 082 451 6566 or e-mail trevorvee@gmail.com Join the Amblers Club or the Durban Ramblers Hiking Club, who have hikes at 2pm on Sundays. Confirm with David on 031 266 8602. Today: At 2pm, hike Krantzkloof Nature Reserve down to the stream and then to the base of Kloof Falls and back. Meet at 2pm at Kloof Falls picnic site, Kloof Falls Drive, Kloof. Reserve entrance R20.00. Call Lawson on 083 716 2086. Today: The Palmiet Nature Reserve trail will be led by archaeologist Mary Lange. Meet at 8.30am at the hall in Old New Germany Road, Westville, for a short talk followed by a walk to the dig site at the Gwalagwala cliff. No charge, but donations for the reserve’s upkeep are appreciated. Call Warren on 031 262 2935. March 12: Crestholme Hike, Waterfall. Meet at the upper parking level of Watercrest Mall (141 Inanda Road) at 1.30pm. Street walking and through grasslands to look out over Inanda Dam. Grading: 2 - Moderate: Distance: 8km. Call hike leader Colin on 031 708 3517. March 13: At 2pm, hike from Emberton coffee shop from the golf driving range. Directions: Hillcrest off-ramp, right and turn right at first traffic lights to Ashley Drive and right at first driveway. An interesting hike with tea and cream scones afterwards. Contact Lawson 083 716 2086. March 20: Hike Bluff view site, 7km. Hike to see spectacular views over Durban and visit World War II Naval Gun Bunker above the harbour entrance and the Millennium Tower. Social and “fish and chips” supper at Pirates, Wilson’s Wharf afterwards. Hike cost R20.00 each. Call David 072 615 0559.
Park Run
JOIN running enthusiasts every Saturday, for a 5km Park Run in Durban, free, at Suncoast Casino Promenade, Battery Beach Road, Durban, 4025. The North Beach parkrun takes place at 8am. Other parkruns include the uMhlanga (12.3km), Toti (27.6) and Shongweni (28.6). Don’t forget your paper barcode. See your initial registration e-mail, your weekly parkrun newsletter, previous results e-mails, or you can request a reminder e-mail. Phones do not scan, so bring a printed copy. Parkrun operates a “no barcode, no result” policy. If you forget your printed barcode, you won’t get a time. Coming along for the first time? Please make sure you have registered March 10: Crescent Challenge, Kings Park Athletic Stadium, Durban, 21.1km run, 10 km Run/Walk, Oasis Crescent Sporting Club. Call Mohamed Khan on 083 786 5343, 031 262 5323 or e-mail crescentrunners@gmail.com March 13: uMgeni Water Marathon. Pre-entries close 2 weeks before. Midmar Dam, Howick, 15km Walk, hosted by Collegians Harriers, Harriers Race Office. For more info, call 082 750 0822 or e-mail collegians.harriers@gmail.com March 17: Mizuno Durban Runner GU TT League #3 2016, Pinetown AC, Pinetown. Time Trial: 8km Men, 4 km Women. For more info, go online to www.pdac.co.za March 17: Tongaat, Outspan Grounds, Ladysmith, 32km, 21.1km, 10km Run/Walk, hosted by the Tongaat Panthers AC. Call Lajeeth Maharaj on 084 206 5342 or 032 944 1670, e-mail victoriaprimary@telkomsa.net March 17: Tronox Marathon and Half Marathon, Addison Park, Empangeni, 42.2 km run, 21.1km, 10km, 5km Run/Walk. March 20: Willem Boshoff Race, Natal Spa, Vryheid, 42.2 km R 21.1 km R/W 10 km R/W, Genius AC. Call 084 477 7704 or e-mail vryheid.athletics.club@gmail.com March 17: J G Zuma Marathon, New Hanover, 42.2km Run, Muden AC. Call Sikhakhane Zenzele on 073 142 3533, 076 765 5625 or e-mail mudenac@gmail.com March 20: Harry Gwala District Marathon. uMzimkhulu to Ixopo, 42.2 km R 21.1 km R/W 10 km R/W, Genius AC. Call Themba Gumede on 072 948 8779, 039 834 1904, or e-mail geniusathleticclub@gmail.com March 21: Mariannhill Half Marathon, Elangeni College, Pinetown. Type: 21.1km, 10km Run/Walk. Hosted by Verulam AC. Call Anand Naicker 083 783 6363 or Feroza Lucken on 083 783 6363.
Trail Running
March 19: Drakensberg Northern Rush, Oliviershoek. Type: 5km, 10km, 20km and 40km. Start: 6am (40km), 7:30am (20km), 8am (5km & 10km). Cost: R70, R100, R130. Spectacular Skymarathon® and challenging 20km along the KZN/Free State border, with shorter introductory distances for different levels of mountain experiences. Call Lauren Booth on 082 791 7069, Andrew Booth on 082 603 4098 or e-mail andrew@kzntrailrunning.co.za March 27: The uMhlanga Easter Trail Run/Walk. Venue: Millennium stage, uMhlanga Promenade. Type: 6km, 12km, 18km. Start: 6am. Cost: R70, R120, R140. Route: Scenic trail through cane fields, river and lagoon crossing, plus some beach. Enter online at roag.co.za. Buffs to the first 200. Call Vaughn Smit on 083 306 3557 or e-mail 1vaughnsmit@gmail.com