Yasser Ditta centre of picture
“Give with your right hand, such that your left hand does not know.With every hardship, comes ease”
| Age | 40 |
| City | Johannesburg |
| Province | Gauteng |
| Employment | Self-employed Director at Africa International Advisors (Management Consulting)Director at Resonance Institute of Learning (Capacity Building and Training)Director at SnAPSA (Southern Africa Partners) (Non-Profit Organisation focussing on keeping kids in school and other associated developmental programmes) |
| School | Grey High School, Port Elizabeth |
| Cricket Teams represented | Represented the Gauteng Lions team at the IPT Over 40 Veterans Tournament Premier League / Super League Representation for: Laudium Cricket Club (Pretoria)Nelson Mandela University Cricket Club (Port Elizabeth)Marks Park Cricket Club (Johannesburg)Lenasia Cricket Club (Johannesburg) – Current Johannesburg LPL Representation for: Queensland GriffinsBank All Stars Note: Captain for numerous years at Marks Park and Lenasia Cricket Club |
| Cricket Highlights | Winners of the 2023 LPL Tournament with Bank All StarsFinalists in the 2023 Jozi Cup Vets Division (including a hat-trick in one of the group games)Finalists in the 2021 LPL Tournament with Queensland Griffins (including a hat-trick in the semi-final)Finalists in the 2018/2019 CGL Premier League T20 Tournament (taking 5 for 24 in the semi-final in a competitive high scoring game)Over more than a decade in Johannesburg Premier League Cricket, I have generally finished in the top 5 or top 10 bowlers in the league each year and achieved numerous 5+ wicket hauls, and more recently in the 2022/2023 season finished the Time Cricket section in first place. Furthermore, I have received numerous club awards for “bowler of the season” including the latest one being in the 2022/2023 Premier League Season for Lenasia Cricket Club |
| Cricket Skills | Right arm off-spin bowlerAdaptability to bowl in the powerplay, middle overs and death bowling depending on the need of the teamRight handed batsmanLower-middle order batsman with the ability to consolidate and play long innings in tough times; and to take the bowling on when required. Favourite scoring shots are over straight hits and over extra coverOverall, I like to think that I am a “thinker” of the game and pride myself on being able to adapt to the situation with bat, ball and in leadership. |
| Other Sports | Currently very active in tennisSemi-active in hiking 5-a-side soccerSocially active in padel tennis, hiking, golfFormerly active and proficient in squash, badminton, action cricket |
| Interests/Hobbies | Sport, reading, number crunching / problem-solving, community development, gaming, board games, organising tournaments |
| Sporting heroes | Imran KhanJonty RhodesZinedine ZidaneMuhammad Ali |
| Favourite quote | Give with your right hand, such that your left hand does not knowWith every hardship, comes ease |
| Thoughts on Vets cricket | I’ve been a lover and player of the game since getting my first bat at the age of 8/9. Circumstances and perhaps some choices didn’t allow me to take cricket seriously post-school but I always played and loved the game. 2022/2023 was a time of tremendous personal hardship where I lost the pillar of strength of my family, my father, in March after a lengthy battle with illness. Being selected for the Lions team shortly thereafter, playing the IPT tournament and then being selected for the Proteas squad were all moments that helped me to cope with this loss by keeping active in the sport that I love. My only wish was that I could have presented the Proteas cap to him before he left us, but I know he would have been unbelievably proud. I’m truly grateful that Vets cricket has come around at this time which has given me the opportunity to play cricket for my province and hopefully soon for my country as well. While I still play Premier league cricket, Vets cricket brings a different dynamic. In addition to it being competitive, the camaraderie amongst the old boys is amazing and extremely inspiring to see so many more like me that are still so passionate about the game in these latter years. Well done to all involved in bringing Vets cricket to life! And may it have a long and illustrious life well beyond our own! |