Two Helderberg cricketers will proudly don SA colours when they represent the over-40 Protea cricket men’s team at the Protea Veterans Africa Cup Tournament scheduled for the end of November, and possibly the over-40 World Cup next year which is being hosted by Cape Town.
Jaco Castle and Abdul-Aziz Temoor are both seasoned veterans of the game, are born and bred Strand locals, have decades of experience between them and are now gearing up for the biggest stage they have yet competed in.
Castle, a father of two daughters, played cricket in primary and high school and took up coaching positions at schools in his twenties.
“A friend convinced me to play cricket in England for a semi-professional team. I love cricket and at the time it seemed too good an opportunity to pass up,” he said.
“For six months of the year I would play for England during their Summer, and come to South Africa and play cricket during our Summer. It worked out really well and helped me get the experience I need”. When in SA, he opted to play for Durbanville Cricket Club where he still plays until today.
About 10 years later the pace bowler returned full-time to SA and continues to ply his favourite pastime at Durbanville, primarily due to the fact that here he can play premier league cricket.
Castle is now an accomplished cricketer, having won the club cricket premier league a few times, won the club championships twice and the T20 community cup.
“I’ve played against highly skilled players such as Paul Adams and Charl Langeveldt, and now I’m playing with Ashwell Prince. It’s priceless learning all the time.”
He added that over the years he’s enjoyed most the social interactions, meeting people and playing competitively.
“It’s the first time I’ve been selected for the national team and it feels like a dream come true. It’s always been my ambition to play at the highest level and it’s a privilege to have been selected.”
Temoor, who will be 41 in October, is also born and bred in Strand, and has played competitive cricket and rugby throughout his youth.
The father of three girls said every cricketer wants to make it to the top, it’s natural to adopt an attitude of never say die.
“Yes there’s been ups and downs in my cricketing career, and sometimes others doubted my ability, but that just motivated me even further to reach for the very top,” Temoor said.
From a young age he impressed, having represented the Western Province u-19 squad as his first taste of the big stage.
He played early on for Hottentots Holland Cricket Club before joining United Cricket Club at Green Point Track where he played Premier league cricket.
Temoor went through provincial and national academies before signing a two-year contract with the Cape Cobras.
“United Cricket Club was like a family to me, I won awards for the most valuable player and for the most wickets,” he said, adding he later on also signed a contract with the Gauteng Lions for four months.
When he returned home Temoor then came back to Hottentots Holland Cricket Club, where he now serves as head coach.
Last year he joined Helderberg Vikings in the Veterans League, which earned him selection for the Boland Team, where he again impressed, leading to his selection for the Proteas.
“A clinical moment for Boland was when I was batting and the team needed a six off the last ball. I managed to hit a six and it was a turning point not only for the tournament, but I think that really got me the selection.”
On hearing of his selection for the Proteas’ over-40 team, Temoor said he was overcome with emotion.
“All I could think of were the legends of the game in our community who have since passed on, and the hand they had in establishing HH Cricket Club for the community and for such opportunities. Names that come to mind are Cassiem Harris and Yunus Thomas, who are revered and respected, but also missed in our community. I also felt immense gratitude and appreciation for my family and the community who support me.”
Funds needed for the trip are estimated at about R20 000 per player and altogether about R220 000 for the team.
For sponsorships, contact Castle on 082 459 4219 or Temoor on 060 346 8556.
