IVYBRIDGE have added some South African firepower to their squad for the imminent return of B Division cricket to Filham Park.
The new overseas player at Ivybridge is bowling all-rounder Bamanye Xenxe, who has been turning out for North West in First Class and List A cricket during the season coming to an and in South African
Xenxe, 27, fills the slot formerly occupied by fellow countryman Cebo Tshiki, who starred with bat and ball in the Ivybridge side that clinched promotion from the Tolchards DCL C Division West last season.
Josh Zimmerman, who skippered Ivybridge to promotion, said Xene comes with excellent references.
“Bam plays for North West now, but used to play at Boland with Cebo, who recommended him to us,” said Zimmerman.
Xenxe has been clocked at around 80mph with the ball and moves the ball away from right-handers. He can bat too, with half-centuries to his name in First Class and Twenty20 cricket.
Talent-spotters identified Xenxe as one to watch at the age of 12. His potential earned him a scholarship to Dale College in King William’s Town, which kick-started his cricket journey.
Annual selection in Border age-group teams soon followed on a regular basis from under-13 through to his First-Class debut for Border in 2017 in the CSA One Day Challenge.
Xenxe has gone on to play for Mpumalanga, the Rhinos and Boland, for whom he was the leading wicket taker with 18 in the 2022-23 CSA Twenty20 Challenge.
Belfast club CIYMS, who play in the NCU Premier League, gave Xenxe his first taste of UK cricket conditions in 2022. Although his season was disrupted by a family bereavement and a trip home, he took 24 wickets and scored nearly 200 runs.
Xenxe has a CSA level-one coaching qualification on his cricket CV, which is equivalent to a level-two ECB certificate.
Ivybridge have also picked-up student Farzad Safi, who has spent the last two seasons on the Kingsbridge team-sheet.
Safi is predominantly a bowler – as evidenced by a five-wicket haul against Ashburton, and four more against Yelverton – but Zimmerman sees him as an all-rounder in development.
“Farz is an exciting young cricketer, with a love and enthusiasm for the game,” said Zimmerman.
“He is just the type of player I love to have in my team and I cannot wait to see what he can do this year at a higher level?”
Ivybridge start the new season on May 3 with a short trip up the A38 to Bovey Tracey 2nd XI.
Day one cannot come round quickly enough for Zimmerman.
“I cannot wait to get the season under way and, hopefully, watch the incredible group we have at Ivybridge go on to do great things,” said Zimmerman.
