An unfortunate incident in a Premier League Twenty20 cricket match last Sunday may prevent Border captain Abongile Sodumo from playing in his 100th first-class match against Easterns at Buffalo Park today.
While attempting to take a difficult catch in the field for his club Good Hope against Bohemians at The Feathers ground in Beacon Bay, he fell backwards onto his head and lost consciousness.
He received medical help immediately and was rushed to Life Hospital, Beacon Bay where he regained consciousness and thankfully was discharged later Sunday.
The club match was immediately called off after only four overs had been bowled.
However, Sodumo, who will reach the magical milestone should he play, is still doubtful and by late yesterday was considering whether to play or not.
He admitted that he felt fine but added: “The decision is mine alone, and if I feel fine I will play tomorrow.”
Should Sodumo be unable to play, his place behind the stumps is likely to be taken by young wicketkeeper Jongile Kilani who is being groomed to take over the gloves for Border in the future.
Sodumo, now 32, made his debut for Border in October 2002 against Griqualand West at Buffalo Park in a four-day SuperSport match. The chunky wicketkeeper-batsman had a quiet match with the bat, scoring but 14 not out and 0, but he grabbed seven dismissals behind the stumps – six catches and a stumping.
To date he has 304 dismissals to his name – 270 catches and 34 stumpings.
With the bat Sodumo has scored 3 203 runs (average 23.55) with one century and 16 half-centuries. The century was scored against Easterns, at Benoni in early 2012, a good omen for the skipper.
Perhaps Sodumo’s greatest moment on the field took place in January 2013 when Border returned from Bloemfontein having beaten Free State by three wickets, bringing to Buffalo Park the CSA One-Day (50-over) Challenge trophy – a wonderful moment for cricket on the Border.
During the past 12 years Sodumo has represented the Warriors as well as Western Province when he was studying Sport and Physical Recreational Studies at the University of the Western Cape between 2007 and 2009. He also represented SA Universities as vice-captain and played a few one-day matches for Eastern Province. He has been captain of Border for the past few seasons.
He matriculated at Dale College and represented Border at U15, U17 and U18 level and played for the Border Academy as well. He represented the SA U17 team.
Both Border and Easterns are sure to go all out for vital bonus points and after the pounding they took from Gauteng at the Wanderers two weeks ago when both games were lost, the Border squad will be happy to play on the more familiar Buffalo Park ground.
Play starts at 10am each day and the two teams clash again Sunday in a CSA Twenty20 Challenge match starting at 11am.