• Proteas fast bowler Lutho Sipamla stated that he is looking forward to cricket’s resumption following the halt in cricketing schedule due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Cricket South Africa announced plans to host a 3-team event called the Solidarity Cup, however there is no official date for the match as yet.
• Sipamla also explained his move to Johannesburg, as he signed for the Lions in March.

Proteas bowler Lutho Sipamla revealed that he was looking forward to resuming training again as the Cricket South Africa (CSA) are preparing to resume under lockdown.

Last month, the government gave the green light for non-contact professional sports to resume training under level 3 of its national lockdown.

Sipamla was part of the Proteas tour to India, which got called off mid-way through the ODI series in March due to the pandemic.

The 22-year-old fast bowler stated that he is raring to go after a three-month coronavirus-enforced absence.

“I’m definitely looking forward to getting back to practice. We have been in lockdown for quite a long time now,” said Sipamla in a CSA interview on Monday.

“It’s been quite a long wait so I am really excited to get back and work on the craft again and work on my skill towards the new season.”

Sipamla is expected to feature in the 3TCricket Challenge, called the Solidarity Cup, however, that was put on hold for the time being as CSA stated they needed more time to meet government regulations to hold the event.

The fast bowler will be in the Kites team, which will be captained by Proteas ODI and T20 captain Quinton de Kock.

In March, the Lions announced that Sipamla will be joining the Johannesburg-based franchise from the Warriors.

“I’m definitely looking forward to my move to the Lions. The whole reason behind it was to improve as a player,” he said.

“I am looking forward to working on my discipline as a fast bowler as well and making sure I am more consistent in bowling tight lines… So I am looking to grow in that aspect as a fast bowler.”

Sipamla reveals that it wasn’t an easy decision to leave his family in Port Elizabeth.

“It’s going to be tough of course to leave home but as I said I want to grow not only as a player but as an individual as well,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to the move and I am excited, hopefully I can do great things there with the Lions.”

– Compiled by Lynn Butler