Ex-Dolphins star Chetty excels in US

FORMER Dolphins and South Africa A cricketer Cody Chetty is enjoying adapting to life in Los Angeles, US, and starred for his new team, the Hollywood Master Blasters in Minor League Cricket.

While the Master Blasters finished seventh in the Western Division of their most recent Minor League campaign, a T20 tournament, Chetty was their top performer with the bat, scoring 470 runs with an average of 42.

Due to his top performances, Chetty ended up captaining his team for their last six games and led them to their only two wins of the season. He will captain the team next season, with the campaign starting in March.

Chetty is enjoying playing cricket in the US.

“I signed a contract to play cricket in LA but part of the contract includes coaching the youth in Los Angeles. This was a reason my wife Kerina and I decided to settle in Orange County.

“Cricket here is different because there are not as many kids playing but kids are keen. There is a big market for it,” said Chetty.

The 30-year-old, who hails from Croftdene in Chatsworth, said that most of the youth that he coaches are American citizens who are of South Asian descent. “All the kids are of Indian or Pakistani descent. A lot of their parents came to America 20 to 30 years ago to live or work here. They are Americans of South Asian descent,” said Chetty.

The former Chatsworth Sporting player and Glenwood High School learner believes that cricket is growing steadily in the US.

“When I came across to the US, I was unsure if cricket was big here. After the first few months, I contacted people and realised it’s growing nicely.

“There are good sponsors such as Toyota who were a major sponsor of the Minor League. Some professionals are also leaving their countries to come to the US. After the Minor League, the world is seeing that this is a good league with good players. The American players are also good,” said Chetty.

Chetty is one of several South African cricketers based in the US with others including former Proteas players Dane Piedt and Rusty Theron.

“There are about eight South Africans in the Minor League. We always meet because there are also different tournaments in different cities in which we play in. We see each other regularly every two to three months.

“We are close. It’s nice to play with the guys and we are based around the country. We have a WhatsApp group with all the South African players here,” said Chetty.

Chetty will be eligible to represent the US national team internationally in another 2½ years and he indicated that this is something that he is open to doing. “It’s a potential opportunity and if I’m performing well and selected, I will be open to playing. It’s not a goal I’m working towards but if the chance comes and I’m selected, I won’t say no.

“For now, my focus is to concentrate on doing well in the Minor League,” said Chetty.

A former Dolphins player for almost 10 years, Chetty says that he does miss his former franchise and Durban.

“The Dolphins was the only team I wanted to play professional cricket for. I miss my former teammates and the set-up as well as my family and my wife’s family. We are just looking to set up here and look to prepare for the future. We have to take it one day at a time,” said Chetty.