Boredom bowled for a duck

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GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - While the world has been starved of sporting action due to Covid-19 restrictions, residents at the Epilepsy SA Southern Cape/Karoo branch have been enjoying their fair share of action.

Much like consumers of alcohol and cigarettes have been without their fix during lockdown, sport lovers have had to accept their lot as amateur and sports leagues have been cancelled. This meant no rugby, soccer, cricket, tennis, golf, hockey, netball, swimming or bowling - no sport!

But, residents and staff at the Epilepsy SA branch in Knysna have continued playing cricket at their facility during lockdown, with practices and matches being played every week.

"Everybody loves it. Cricket is the residents' favourite activity by far, and the joy on their faces when they play is priceless," said branch director Lee-Anne van den Bergh, noting that some of their usual activities are no longer possible. "We used to take everyone shopping every week, but now they are cooped up at the facility. If it weren't for the cricket, I don't know what we would've done."

Photo gallery: Cricket action for Epilepsy SA residents

The residents play cricket under the auspices of Glory Campbell, a development worker at Epilepsy SA who used to play cricket himself. "There are some really good players here, so it is really impressive to see how they play," he said. Whereas the majority of the residents play cricket purely for recreational purposes, there are a few who take play more seriously, Campbell said. "This is not without reason, as every year the branch selects its team to take part in a tournament in Johannesburg against other teams from Epilepsy SA branches across the country."

Last year, the local branch had four players selected, of which Hubert Malgas was one. Said Malgas, "I'm really passionate about cricket, and I strive to do my best at whatever I love." Another player, Darren Francis, played at school level and enjoys it just as much now. "We really have fun, and sometimes when we have nothing to do we'll just come out and play some cricket."

The two are captains of the centre's two teams - Lions and Green Lovers - and their cricket is played on a strip marked out on their property, so they don't go out into the public. They play with old cricket bats and a rubber ball.

One of the staff members at the centre, Rowena-Eliza Jansen, also takes part. "It's so much fun getting to play with them, it keeps me active and to see them have even more fun, is amazing."

Junior Gugushe bowls a delivery.