The talented young all-rounder has been called up by the South African selectors to join their Emerging Squad and from what we have seen of him during his short stay in Ulster, everyone expects an immediate rise through the ranks to the senior squad. Our best wishes go with him as he certainly brought a lot of entertainment and media focus to local cricket. Perhaps local bowlers will not be as disappointed, given the amazing stats that the prolific batsmen produced in such a short time?
Life with and without Obus will be very different at The Lawn. Or will it?
Life with him has created a huge buzz around the club as the South African made a lot of friends in this tight community where cricket still reigns supreme. Much of the media focus has been centred on his phenomenal batting exploits, but the spin-off has been just as rewarding for a club that for many years stood defiantly against professionalism, much to their own detriment. The crowds have flocked to watch him, including many neutrals, and the players around him have played with increasing confidence and shown that they are far from a one-man team.
Waringstown currently sit close to the top of the league table with matches in hand, and once again they are through to the Senior Cup final. Pienaar has made a big contribution to this healthy state of affairs, but it has also been rewarding to see how younger batsmen like Andrew Cousins, James Hall and Lee Nelson have risen in status with some superb performances. And credit to Waringstown for resisting the temptation to bat their professional at the top of the order, as his number five position has given all the leading batsmen first bite of the cherry.
Life without Obus Pienaar will be different, but it will not have the negative impact some sceptics believe. After all, their skipper Kyle McCallan is as good as any overseas professional, Pienaar included, and with his drive and enthusiasm the momentum is sure to be continued. Kyle also has a backroom team that any club would die for. Spearheaded by icons Roy Harrison and Ivan Anderson, few clubs can boast such an impressive array of former players still involved and, anyone at The Lawn last week when a heavy rain shower threatened the match had to be impressed by the army of volunteers on the square removing the covers and spiking the wet patches. Cricket restarted within 45 minutes and everyone should be congratulated for the effort shown in preparing and repairing the ground.
And let’s not forget the Waringsown ladies, as their hospitality is second to none. This is one clubhouse where cricket remains King and the walls are covered with a plethora of photographs of winning teams, touring teams, former internationals and leading personalities. It is a treat to walk around the clubhouse walls where so much of NCU history is captured in pictures.
Is that about to change because of the departure of Obus Pienaar? Not a chance. Waringstown will do what they have done many times before and re-focus, re-charge and return to the form they have shown all season. Of course, Obus will be missed, but in his wake he will have the satisfaction of leaving a buoyant squad with a determined captain and a strong support team who will want to finish the job in style. And that’s the hallmark of this remarkable club. They give nothing away on the field, and everything they do off it sets the standard others need to follow to compete.
Good luck Obus, thanks for the memories and let’s hope the second half of the season has as much buzz and excitement.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
