Cornelius Johannes Petrus Gerhardus Van Zyl was the coach of the South African Cricket Sixes team who won the 2009 Karp Group & Inurich Jewellery Hong Kong Cricket Sixes. 

Van Zyl, who is the current coach of Gestetner Diamond Eagles, is a former National cricketer who represented his country in two One Day Internationals in 1992.

After the recent shock resignation of national cricket coach Mickey Arthur, CorrieVan Zyl was appointed acting coach for the Proteas National Cricket side for their tour to India. 

The team recently drew the 2-test-match series against the number-one ranked Indians.

Corrie Van Zyl in Hong Kong (Pic: Mike Jansen)

Everyone who were in attendance at the Kowloon Cricket Club on Sunday November 1, 2009 will remember the nail-biting Final between South Africa and hosts Hong Kong.  Set a modest target of 98 runs to win the US$55,000 first prize, the South Africans left it late with Farhaan Behardien smashing a massive six off the final delivery from Hong Kong’s Mark Wright to clinch the title.

       The advertising boards are flattened by the SA players after Behardien’s six. (Pic: Mike Jansen)

The win was a cruel blow for the hosts Hong Kong who impressed with the their performance throughout the tournament and was set for their first-ever win.

Scroll to around 7:28 of the following clip to refresh your memory. Colleen Thane and her loyal gang of Saffas are featured at the beginning, while yours truly also feature in there happily snapping away with my camera.  Papparazzi!

After the final ball, CEO of Cricket South Africa Gerald Majola suddenly appeared from a VIP Box to congratulate the team:

      “You’re the man! Fancy going to India, Corrie?”  Did they know something we didn’t?  (Pic: Mike Jansen)

However, there was no fairytale finish for the Proteas in their first One Day International on the sub-continent.  India beat South Africa in the first one-day-er under the tutelage of Corrie Van Zyl in another tense finish. 

This time there was no Farhaan Behardien when Wayne Parnell was run out off the final delivery, attempting a second run that would have tied the match, to leave the Proteas on 297 all out in reply to India’s 298-9. 

The second match in the series of One Day Internationals will be played in Gwalior on Wednesday and the third in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

South Africa won the 2009 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes title in the most dramatic fashion at Kowloon Cricket Club on Sunday evening as Farhaan Behardien smashed a six off the final delivery of the tournament to down a gallant Hong Kong . 

Set a total of 98 runs to win the title for a third time, the South Africans left it late to claim the trophy – and the first prize of US$55,000 – when Behardien thumped Mark Wright’s final ball into the stands to the delight of his team mates. 

The defeat was a cruel blow for a Hong Kong side that had impressed throughout the competition and who went into the final having won all six of their previous matches, including two against South Africa. 

Cheered on by the majority of the crowd at Kowloon Cricket Club, the home side were put into bat for the first time in the entire competition after the South Africans won the toss.  Hong Kong made a disappointing start to the final, however, losing captain Najeeb Amar with the first ball of the game and then creeping tentatively through the opening overs. 

Star man Irfan Ahmad was next to go when he holed out to Rory Kleinveldt off the bowling of David Jacobs for just seven runs – his lowest score of the tournament – in the second over with 17 on the scoreboard.  Nerves looked to have taken hold of a Hong Kong team that was opening the batting for the first time in the competition.

The pressure to set a substantial total was threatening to take its toll, but Munir Dar steadied the ship for the home side alongside wicketkeeper Hussain Butt, with Dar eventually retiring with an unbeaten 31 runs.  Butt scored 24 before being caught by Behardien off the bowling of Coetzee while Tanwir Afzal claimed 20, only to be run out, but by the end of their innings Hong Kong had set a respectable target of 98 runs for South Africa to win. 

The South Africans started confidently enough, claiming 21 runs off the first over from Dar, but a spectacular spell from Tanwir Afzal put the result back in the balance.  The 21-year-old picked up the wicket of Loots Bosman with his first ball and, two balls later, Kleinveldt was heading back to the pavilion after being bowled. By the end of the over, Jacobs had joined Afzal’s casualty list, leaving South Africa on 32 for 3.

However, the South Africans steadied the ship until the final over, when Mark Wright claimed the wicket of David Wiese to set up a grandstand finish. 

Seven runs from the next four balls left South Africa needing six off the final ball to win the title, and Behardien duly obliged, dispatching Wright’s half volleyed delivery over the boundary.  There was some consolation for Hong Kong ’s Irfan Ahmad, who won the Ben Hollioake Trophy – which is awarded to the competition’s leading player – as a result of his performances throughout the weekend.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand handed Australia a comprehensive defeat to win the Plate competition, winning by five wickets when they successfully chased down a total of 69 runs to pick up US$13,000 in prize money.

Alvin Sallay’s article in Monday’s South China Morning Post (Pic: Oliver Tsang)

South Africa finally broke their Hong Kong hoodoo, beating the hosts for the first time this weekend in the final of the 2009 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes to claim their third title since 1995 in the most dramatic fashion. 

A six off the last ball by Farhaad Behardien gave South Africa a two-wicket win over a Hong Kong side that had beaten them in each of their previous two meetings in this year’s competition.

“What a way for a final to finish!” said successful South African captain David Jacobs.  “Throughout the tournament we’ve worked hard and I’m proud of the boys, we’re a proud nation.

 “We were confident but it’s a final and as a professional cricketer you know finals are difficult and we saw that again today. But we managed to scrape through. We played them in the first game and got smashed and then we played them earlier today and they did us again.  “I think it’s a great thing for Hong Kong even though they didn’t win.

“They probably deserved to win because they were probably the best side but in finals it doesn’t always work out but I think they were probably the best side in the tournament.  It’s so unpredictable this form of the game. It’s only five overs and I said to the guys: ‘Surely we can’t lose three times to the same team!’ 

“It worked out, they’re a good side and I’m happy for them but also sad for them for not making it today.”

Hong Kong – whose earlier wins had come in the group phases of the competition – set the South Africans a target of 98 runs to win and, after scoring 21 runs off the first over, South Africa were in command. 

But a fine over from Tanwir Afzal saw three wickets fall in quick succession to throw the outcome back into doubt.  The South Africans went on the attack with the bat again but a wicket for Mark Wright in the final over left the game finely balanced.  South Africa scored seven runs off the next four balls to leave Behardien needing to hit a six off the final ball and the 26-year-old responded in dramatic fashion, thumping Wright’s delivery well over the boundary.

“I remember just thinking about how the atmosphere was unbelievable and I was soaking up the atmosphere, with everyone cheering for Hong Kong ,” said Behardien.   “I knew I had to hit a six and I was fortunate enough that it came off today.

“In this form of cricket you have to try to hit the ball as hard as you can and try and get sixes. That’s about it, really. I think the team chasing always has a better chance of winning. 

“Our captain got it right this time on the toss. We were able to chase and we put them under pressure with a few early wickets and we’re very happy with the win.” 

Despite seeing his side lose their first game of the tournament, Hong Kong captain Najeeb Amar was proud of the performance of his players. 

“It’s disappointing,” he said. “We lost the toss and I like to win the toss and chase.  “It was a huge decision for us, but we have shown the world how close we were in this competition. 

“I’m really happy with how the boys played and I believe I’m the luckiest and happiest captain in the world. We have some great players who did well and I’m really proud.

“I’ve no words to thank my team mates because they’ve done a great job playing against all these Test playing nations.”

There was a small consolation for the Hong Kong team as Irfan Ahmad won the Ben Hollioake Trophy, awarded to the tournament’s leading player.  “It was great to play in this competition,” said Irfan. “We did well and I’ve been looking forward to this for quite a while. Almost everything went well.

“I want to go into the Indian Premier League and this was a good chance for me to show what I can do if I’m given a bigger opportunity.  “This tournament has been very good for Hong Kong and I think our team did very well.”

Kowloon Cricket Club, Hong Kong 1 November 2009

South Africa won their third Hong Kong Sixes Tournament this afternoon when they beat a spirited Hong Kong side.  The Cup Final at the Kowloon Cricket Club came close to last year’s thriller-in-Kowloon when England beat Australia.  This time around, the South Africans required 6 runs off the last ball to win their third tournament after clinching it in 1995 and 2006.

(More news and pictures to follow)

Hong Kong, November 1, 2009

Hosts Hong Kong will meet South Africa in the final of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes after both teams handed defeats to England and Sri Lanka in their opening clashes in the round robin phase of the tournament’s Cup competition. 

Irfan Ahmad impressed once again with both bat and ball for the home side, scoring 34 runs against England in 12 balls before following that up with a nock of 32 against Sri Lanka in 11 balls.  Irfan’s performance against the English came as Hong Kong defeated the defending champions by six wickets, surpassing England’s total of 72 runs from five overs with relative ease. 

Hong Kong’s victory over Sri Lanka was even more emphatic, coming after the bowling attack had limited the Sri Lankans to just 59 runs for the loss of five wickets.  Captain Najeeb Amar and Irfan piled on the runs before Irfan retired having hit 32 runs as the Sri Lankans eventually succumbed to another six wicket defeat.

South Africa, meanwhile, carried on from their high-scoring form from the first day, defeating Sri Lanka in their opening game by one wicket thanks to a fine innings of 44 not out from Loots Bosman.  David Jacobs then took up the mantle in South Africa’s next game when they launched a successful run chase to defeat England, scoring 103 for 3 with Jacobs scoring 36 as the South Africans beat Chris Read’s team by three wickets.

The two finalists met in their final group game in what turned out to be a dress rehearsal for the tournament decider later in the day, with Hong Kong winning on the final ball as they successfully chased down South Africa’s total of 97 to complete a remarkable sixth win in a row.

In the Plate competition, Australia will meet New Zealand in the final after handing Pakistan a comprehensive six wicket defeat.  Greg Moller and Glenn Maxwell both scored 33 runs as the Australians overhauled Pakistan’s total of 77 for 3 while New Zealand downed India in their semifinal.

I’ve been really busy over the last 2 days compiling stories and pictures about the South Africans’ march towards the Final of the Karp Group & Unirich Jewellery hong Kong Sixes 2009.  South Africa will be playing hosts Hong Kong next in a regulation Round Robin match before taking them on again later in the Cup Final.  Here is my account of some of the action from the Kowloon Cricket Club in Hong Kong:

The South African Sixes side made a dramatic start to day 2 of the Carp Group & Urich Jewellery Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, leaving it to the second-last ball of the first game against Sri Lanka.  The Sri Lankans posted a score of 86 for 4 after SA captain Davy Jacobs won the toss and sent his opponents in to bat.  Top scorer was Kaushal Lokuarachchi (try saying that 3 times) who retired at 34 (not out).

First over: South Africa vs. Sri Lanka (Pic: Mike Jansen)

For the South Africans, David Wiese performed well with the ball, taking 2 wickets for only 14 runs.  He was well-supported by South African skipper Jacobs who also took 2 Sri Lankan scalps for 28 runs in addition to 2 fantastic catches.

When South Africa came in to bat, it fell on the swash-buckling Loots Bosman to get his team into the ascendancy.  He eventually retired not out, but was to return to the crease after all his team-mates were eliminated.  Bosman finally ended the first game on a magnificent 44 not out.

South Africa eventually won the game by 1 wicket with 1 ball to spare.

A relieved South African side acknowleges their supporters (Pic: Mike Jansen)

After an exciting Day 1 of the Karp Group & Unirich Jewellery Hong Kong Sixes, here is a wrap-up of the day’s results:

Southern Hemisphere 

Game 1 – Hong Kong beat South Africa by 5 wickets

South Africa 71 for 2 (Jacobs 32 retired); Hong Kong 73 for 1 (Irfan Ahmad 33 retired).

Game 3 – Hong Kong beat New Zealand by 4 wickets

New Zealand 92 for 3 (Spearman 31 retired); Hong Kong 95 for 2 (Irfan Ahmad 32).

Game 5 – South Africa beat Australia by 4 wickets

Australia 110 for 2 (Maxwell 34 retired, Moller 33 retired); South Africa 112 for 2 (Bosman 33 retired, Jacobs 33 retired, Coetsee 29 not out)

Game 7 – Hong Kong beat Australia by 4 wickets

Australia 86 for 3 (Maxwell 29); Hong Kong 89 for 2 (Dar 33 retired)

Game 9 – South Africa beat New Zealand by 20 runs

South Africa 103 for 3 (Kleinveldt 34 not out); New Zealand 83 for 2 (Fulton 31 retired, Stewart 33 retired).

Game 11 – New Zealand beat Australia by 4 wickets

Australia 60 all out (Stoinis 35); New Zealand 64 for 2 (Kitchen 32 retired).

Northern Hemisphere

Game 2 – India beat Sri Lanka by 6 runs

India 88 for 2 (Pandey 31 retired, Arun Kumar 36 retired); Sri Lanka 82 for 3.

Game 4 – England beat Pakistan by 3 runs

England 92 for 0 (Stevens 33 retired, Trego 35 retired); Pakistan 89 for 3 (Shahzad 33 retired, Ali 35 retired).

Game 6 – Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 6 runs

Sri Lanka 88 for 2 (Soysa 36 retired); Pakistan 82 for 2 (Raouf 30).

Game 8 – England beat India by 4 wickets

India 88 for 4 (Binny 54 not out); England 89 for 2 (Stevens 32 retired, Trego 35 retired).

Game 10 – Pakistan beat India by 6 wickets

India 65 for 1 (Pandey 28 not out); Pakistan 66 for 0 (Shahzad 31 retired).

Game 12 – Sri Lanka beat England by 5 wickets

England 94 for 4 (Trego 65 not out); Sri Lanka 97 for 1 (Kualthunga 32 retired, Lokuarachichi 31 retired).

The standings after Day 1:

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

TEAM                    played, points, (run rate)      

HONG KONG         Played: 3 Points: 6 (RR 3.4459)

S- AFRICA             Played: 3 Points: 4 (RR3.2500)

N- ZEALAND        Played: 3 Points: 2 (RR2.9875)

AUSTRALIA         Played: 3 Points: 0 (RR2.8444)

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE

ENGLAND              Played: 3 Points: 4 (RR3.125)

 SRI LANKA          Played: 3 Points: 4 (RR3.104651)

PAKISTAN            Played: 3 Points: 2 (RR2.925926)

INDIA                     Played: 3 Points: 2 (RR2.677778)

I met up with the South Africa Sixes Team at their scheduled practice session at Hong Kong Cricket Club on Friday.  In fact, they literally arrived at the practice sak en pak (with all their luggage) as they were unable to check into their hotel.  Some of the players were not impressed at being told that their hotel rooms were not ready yet… one day before the tournament nogal.  So, after a 13 hour flight, the practice session also ended up doubling as a kind of anti-jet-lag/acclimatising session.

When questioned about half his team making their debut in Hong Kong (they would only get to see and feel the turf at the Kowloon Cricket Club (KCC) when they walk on to face hosts Hong Kong on Saturday morning), coach Corrie Van Zyl shrugged it off saying that the team is “professional enough” not to let it hamper their performance.  Swash-buckling batsman Loots Bosman, who returns to Hong Kong after playing for the Proteas Sixes last year, made it clear that their first game against Hong Kong will help settle any nervousness after arriving in the SAR the day before the first ball.

The SA Sixes Team at the Kong Kong Cricket Club (Pic: Mike Jansen)

Game 1of Day 1 of the Karp Group & Unirich Jewellery Hong Kong Sixes didn’t start well for the Proteas when they were comprehensively beaten by a spirited Hong Kong side who would be improving after every game of Day 1.  SA Captain Davy Jacobs led by example by scoring 32 not out.  Unfortunately their overall score of 71 proved too low for the locals, buoyed by their crowd support, who easily surpassed that total.

Game 2saw the Saffas come back with a vengeance when they countered the target of 110 for 2 set by the Aussies with a brutal batting performance, eventually surpassing that total with their own 112 for 2.  Top-scorers were the opening pair of Bosman and Jacobs who both had to retire after scoring 33 runs (competition rules).  Werner Coetsee (29 not out) and David Wiese (1 not out) finished the Antipodeans off in great style.

Game 3saw the South Africans batting first against the New Zealanders after they latter won the toss.  That would be the only “win” from this game for the Kiwis.  The Saffas obviously developed a hunger for century-scores and set their opponents a target of 103 for 3.  New Zealand never came close, scoring only 83 for 2.  Top scorer in this game would be Rory Kleinveldt with 34 not out.

The scoreboard tells the story!

South Africa will open the 2009 edition of the Carp Group & Unirich Jewellery Hong Kong Cricket Sixes on Saturday when they take on the hosts Hong Kong at 8:20am (local time).  However, as Hong Kong is 6 hours ahead of the Republic, South African fans will have to have their coffee at the ready if they were to stay abreast of what is happening at the Kowloon Cricket Club.

Day 1 sees South Africa play three games in the Southern Hemisphere Group: against Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.  The good news is that Supersport will broadcast all the action from the Sixes live on the Supersport 6 channel.  With the 2009 Currie Cup Rugby Final between the Cheetahs and Bulls late on Saturday, the time difference means that South African sportsfans can catch all the Sixes games before settling down to watch the rugby!  Here is the Supersport schedule (All time stated in SA time):

02:10 – 03:00 Cricket Hong Kong Cricket Sixes: Hong Kong v South Africa

03:00 – 03:45 Cricket Hong Kong Cricket Sixes: India v Sri Lanka

03:45 – 04:30 Cricket Hong Kong Cricket Sixes: Hong Kong v New Zealand

04:30 – 05:15 Cricket Hong Kong Cricket Sixes: Pakistan v England

05:15 – 06:00 Cricket Hong Kong Cricket Sixes: South Africa v Australia

06:00 – 06:45 Cricket Hong Kong Cricket Sixes: Sri Lanka v Pakistan

06:45 – 07:30 Cricket Hong Kong Cricket Sixes: Hong Kong v Australia

07:30 – 08:15 Cricket Hong Kong Cricket Sixes: India v England

08:15 – 09:00 Cricket Hong Kong Cricket Sixes: South Africa v New Zealand

09:00 – 09:45 Cricket Hong Kong Cricket Sixes: India v Pakistan

09:45 – 10:30 Cricket Hong Kong Cricket Sixes: New Zealand v Australia

10:30 – 11:30 Cricket Hong Kong Cricket Sixes: Sri Lanka v England

The host broadcaster for the 2009 Karp Group & Unirich Jewellery Hong Kong Cricket Sixes will be Taj TV-owned Tensports, who will provide a live broadcast into the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Australia and South Africa on October 31 (8.20am-5.30pm HKT) and November 1 (8.30am-5.00pm HKT).

Locally, the tournament will be available live in Hong Kong on ESPN STAR Sports Cricket Live Plus Channel (Channel 675) on the NOW TV platform at the same times, while TVB Pearl will screen one hour of highlights at midnight on November 1. Repeats will also screen on the ESPN STAR Sports Cricket Live Channel (Channel 674)

Busy, Busy, Busy! The Kowloon Cricket Club on Thursday before the tournament. (Pic: Mike Jansen)