It’s that time of year again.
The sun is out, the smell of braai is in the air and the sound of willow smashing leather.
The inaugural Mzansi Super League (MSL) has really got the mense loving their cricket again.
It takes me back to my days growing up in the 90s watching Benson and Hedges action.
Back then the games were shown on the SABC too.
And with the game reaching more people again, you see the kids in the streets playing cricket.
SPIN DOCTOR: Tabraiz Shamsi. Photo: BACKPAGEPIX
But the cool thing is that I’m hearing all sorts of names as their heroes. Kids want to be Quinton de Kock, Khaya Zondo, Kagiso Rabada, Reeza Hendricks and Tabraiz Shamsi.
And that’s all down to the game being brought back to the people.
While satellite broadcasters SuperSport have the monopoly for most sports, the SABC should find more ways to expose the public to our sports stars.
Anyway, it’s made cricket fun again.
And this weekend’s final at Newlands could be an all-Cape affair with the Cape Town Blitz hosting and the Paarl Rocks playing off for a spot in the decider against Jozi Stars.
Hopefully, the final will only be the curtain-raiser for a fantastic summer of cricket with Pakistan and Sri Lanka touring our country.
The Pakistanis arrived yesterday for their three-Test, five-ODI and three-T20 contest with the Proteas.
Then in February, the Lankans come for what will be another chance to get Ottis Gibson’s manne ready for the World Cup in May.