Sundaymail Editor
Sports Reporter
THE 2022 edition of the CABS St George’s T20 Smashing Cricket Festival seems to have left a lasting impression on fans, as last weekend’s event marked the successful return of schools cricket.
It was the first event in three years after the Covid-19-induced hiatus.
Peterhouse Boys High were the ultimate winners after edging South African side St Andrew’s in the Super Over-thriller.
Before the decider, the final had earlier ended in a 147-run stalemate.
Despite failing to qualify for the final, hosts St George’s head of cricket and coach Denford Kumundati had nothing but good things to say about the tournament.
“As Saints, it was a tough one for us on the field, but cricket is a game in which you learn from your mistakes and move forward,” said Kumundati.
“From the administration point of view, we did fairly well and we can only get better.
“It was great to be back and even better to see the boys out on the field again after such a long break.
“A lot of work went into putting this tournament together, and a big thank you to all our sponsors,” he said.
He was also happy with the level of competition exhibited throughout the tournament.
“The major highlight for me was the Peterhouse and St Andrew’s final,” he said.
“The standard of cricket was simply top-class.”
This was Peterhouse’s third CABS St George’s T20 crown after their back-to-back conquests in 2012 and 2013.
St George’s still hold the most trophies, having won it five times in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2019. Churchill Boys High, the inaugural winners in 2004, are in second place with four titles, with their other wins coming in 2006, 2011 and 2017.
South African side St John’s College have won it twice in 2015 and 2016, while the trio of Zimbabwe’s St John’s College and the two other South African sides, St Andrew’s College and St Benedict’s College, have one title each in 2010, 2014 and 2018, respectively.
Online Reporter