Durban Heat – under the guidance of 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten – have already set sights on an impressive showing and reaching the final in this year’s Mzansi Super League (MSL) 2.0 tournament set to start on 8 November and run until the grand final on 16 December.
The coastal outfit’s Chief Executive, Heinrich Strydom, in handing over the team’s framed jersey to the eThekwini Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Cllr. Mxolisi Kaunda, said that the objective is to improve drastically from the underwhelming performance in the inaugural season last year where they finished at the bottom of standings.
In addition to unveiling a team that will contain some top performers like Standard Bank Proteas players in David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo and Keshav Maharaj – the Heat will also be opening doors to a revamped facility containing new stadium features at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium when they open the tournament against Tshwane Spartans on Saturday, 9 November (Match starts: 12:30pm).
Tickets for MSL2.0 matches are available across Ticketpro retail outlets costing from R60 each with more information on www.mslt20.co.za
“The mission for the Heat is to do well this year whereas a minimum we want to reach the final. We want to win the tournament, I know it won’t be easy, but we are excited about having Gary Kirsten as head coach. The team will get together on 2 November, hopefully, the boys will pitch up ready to play,” said Strydom.
“It is an incredible opportunity to start off against Tshwane, where they will have guys like AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel playing for them. We have also done a few upgrades in general at our home venue and are excited that the fans will get a new look when they get to the stadium where we will be celebrating the culture of KwaZulu-Natal at our matches where we will obviously look to bring the heat.”
Cllr. Kaunda gave his vote of confidence behind his team; he assured that the visiting fans will get the best treatment when visiting the east coast of South Africa, which is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
“We are delighted and honored to host the Durban Heat, the Mzansi Super League and Cricket South Africa who presented us with the team jersey as a token of appreciation. We will continue strengthening our relations, understanding that sport is an important tool of creating social cohesion and confronting all social ills,” said Cllr. Kaunda.
“As the City of eThekwini, we still remain as a preferred tourist destination in the world, where we offer heritage sites, our diverse cultures and of course, the warmest beaches in the world. We are beautifying our city, where you will also see our revamped stadiums. We are more than ready for the tournament and we will have safety measures in place. We hosted the World Aids conference and Economic summits, and when this tournament starts, the city will also be hosting world Mayors on the week of 8-13 November.”
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