Pamensky dies at 92

JOHANNESBURG, CMC)

– Joseph Pamensky, one of the architects of the rebel tours to apartheid-era South Africa in the 1980s, died on Wednesday. He was 92.

Working alongside Dr Ali Bacher, Pamensky kept the sport alive during the period of institutionalised racial segregation in the country and pushed to integrate it within black communities.

He also oversaw the move to multi-racial cricket and, in doing so was involved in the “rebel tours” of the 1980s that attracted a West Indies side under Lawrence Rowe and, eventually, South Africa’s re- admission to the world game in 1991.

“A superb organiser, Pamensky has dedicated the better part of his life in service to the game of cricket,” Cricket South Africa chairman Lawrence Naidoo said in a tribute.

“He has selflessly contributed his skills, acumen, and trade to bear on the game that he was so passionate about. It is these attributes that gained him respect and acclaim both nationally and internationally.”

Naidoo added: “On behalf of the CSA Board, I send condolences to Pamensky’s family on the sad passing a 4-0 defeat at Liverpool which ruled him out for the remainder of last season. of this giant of the game. I equally thank them for gifting cricket with the person of Pamensky’s calibre who served the game with enthusiasm, devotion, and commitment.

MUMBAI, India, (CMC) – West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews narrowly missed out on the Player-of-the-Match award after she anchored Mumbai Indians to an eight-wicket win with a steady allround performance in a low-scoring contest against Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League on Thursday.

Matthews followed up a tidy bowling spell with 32 off 31 balls that included half-dozen fours and shared 65 with Player-of-the-Match Yastika Bhatia to set up a successful chase of a target of 106 in the top-of-the-table clash at the Patil Stadium.

The midfielder then suffered a knee injury in pre-season but initially opted not to get an operation, fearing it would rule him out of the World Cup.

But he was later deemed to need surgery anyway and, although he returned to the squad in January, he suffered another muscular problem that delayed his return to action further.

Pogba came off the bench in a 4-2 win over derby rivals Torino before making his second substitute appearance in Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Roma.

Bhatika slammed eight fours in the top score of 41 off 32 balls and dominated the opening stand with Matthews before she was lbw to United States left-arm pacer Tara Norris in the ninth over.

When Matthews was caught at long-off in the 12th over off England off-spinner Alice Capsey, the Indians needed only 29 from 51 balls, and they hardly broke out a sweat to reach the finish line.

England international Natalie Sciver-Brunt formalised the result with 30 balls remaining when she swung Australia international Jess Jonassen over mid-on for the last of her four boundaries in 23 not out.

The result meant that the Indians remained unbeaten and have won all three of their matches in the five-team Twenty20 tournament to top the standings with six points.

Earlier, Matthews grabbed three for 19 from her allotted four overs before the Capitals were bowled out for 105 in 18 overs.

England international Issy Wong was the pick of the Indians bowlers with three for 10 from her four overs and uncapped left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque grabbed three for 13 from three overs – including the prized scalp of Capitals top-scorer and Australia captain, Meg Lanning for 43.

“The curtain may have fallen on Pamensky, yet his pioneering impact will linger into posterity. I equally send condolences to the many people who came across Pa- mensky during their lives and who were touched by his generosity of spirit. Rest in peace Uncle Joe. You will be sadly missed.”

Born in then Port Elizabeth, now called Gqeberha, Pamensky was a cricket loving chartered accountant and businessman. He was rated among one of cricket’s finest administrators.

CSA listed close involvement with cricket, concern for young people, honesty in all dealings, unfailing courtesy, and total professionalism among the qualities that were embedded in Pamensky’s culture.

Included among the group that Rowe led to South Africa on the tour between 1982 and 1983 were players such as pacers Colin Croft, and the deceased duo of Sylvester

Clarke and Ezra Moseley, the only one of them to play official matches after the trip when a lifetime ban imposed by the West Indies Cricket Board (now Cricket West Indies) was lifted.

Others such as noted batsman Alvin Kallicharran, 1979 World Cup hero Collis King, and recently deceased wicketkeeper David Murray were also part of the tour.