Cape Cobras all-rounder Justin Kemp says he is not ready to retire from cricket after the recent Sunfoil series.
Kemp wants one more crack following his swashbuckling and explosive 143 which helped to set up the Cobras’ emphatic innings-win in their final Sunfoil Series clash of the 2014/2015-season against the Dolphins.
‘I could easily have decided that it was an appropriate time to walk away, but this is the best I have batted for a long time, and I still want to play next season,’ the 37-year old veteran said.
Kemp averaged 74.80 in Sunfoil Series matches in the 2014/2015-season. A feature of his performances was his ability to change gear to suit the situation.
His 143 in the final four-day match of the season against the Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg was an innings full of boundaries. He reached the ropes 18 times and cleared the boundary on six occasions in his 150-ball assault.
But he was also able to occupy the crease in disciplined fashion at Boland Park in Paarl when the Cobras needed stonewalling-tactics against the Chevrolet Knights. His patient 73 set up a draw.
Kemp agreed he felt ill-prepared for the season because of injuries which affected his training.
Consequently, he was playing while not completely ready. But, to his credit, Kemp soldiered on and finished the season with aplomb.
Reflecting on the performances during the season, Kemp said the Cobras did great in the domestic T20’s.
‘We did not bowl brilliantly in the Momentum One Day Cup final, and we let ourselves down badly in the four-day competition.
‘Sure, we lost manpower and had distractions [due to call-ups of players to the South Africa A squad]. But other franchises faced the same problems. If we are brutally honest with ourselves, we did not perform to the high standards we set for ourselves in the Sunfoil Series,’ he added.
