Like Proteas Veterans teammate Alan Dawson, this will be Saleem Mukuddem’s second Cricket World Cup. But unlike Dawson, Mukuddem will be making his debut at the tournament for his country of birth.
The 51-year-old allrounder has previous experience of playing at the highest level, having opened the bowling and batted at three for Bermuda at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. Overall he played 20 matches for the island nation, scoring 331 runs (23.64 average) and taking 23 wickets (best of 4/40), one of which was the big one of Sri Lankan star Sanath Jayasuriya.
Mukuddem cut his teeth at Thornhill, Gatesville and Primrose cricket clubs, at the latter forming part of the all-conquering side that featured the likes of Saaiet Magiet, Faiek Davids, Haroon Lorgat and former England captain Nasser Hussain.
Upon his return to these shores he turned out for Wynberg, Western Province Cricket Club and Rylands, where he is currently the chairman and playing 3As with his 16-year-old son. Mukuddem plays for Primrose in the Veterans League and finished as the competition’s top run-scorer last season.
Nickname: Salla
Favourite cricketer of all time: Viv Richards
Favourite shot/delivery: Square-drive/Yorker
Toughest bowler faced: Vincent Barnes
Toughest batsman bowled to: Ryan ten Doeschate
Picture courtesy of Goolam Taliep