Eugene Moleon represented South Africa at the Hong Kong sixes and played first class cricket for many years in his native land. He has now moved into coaching, taking charge of ECL19 semi-finalists Svanholm from Denmark. He is currently Head Coach at the University of Capetown (UCT) and is a tutor within Cricket Ireland’s coaching education programmes.
Tell us your memories of ECL19 with Denmark’s Svanholm?
My Danish experience was very enjoyable and my time at Svanholm was good. I hope I brought some new ideas onboard. I went there as a coach, but played a few games for them as well. The European Cricket League was an absolutely great experience and can proudly say I was involved in the first-ever ECL. The whole event and organisation were very well planned. Even the teams taking part engaged on and off the field. It was more than just cricket; it was bringing together cricketers from across Europe together. I think everyone gained from their experience there and thanks to all involved for creating that platform to showcase their skills.
How did you end up in Denmark playing and coaching?
I was asked by the Danish coach, Jeremy Bray, if I would like to do some coaching in Denmark at club level. As I hadn’t been to Denmark before, I saw it as another great challenge, working with different cricketers.
Will you punch Mr Maximo next time you see him because of the “Bus” Nickname?
Ha Ha! Not at all. Having been in a professional cricket environment for a long time, things like that brings extra enjoyment to it all. It’s one of those things that happens and him commenting on it at the time really brought it all to life. He certainly does that. It was a great moment shared with “Mr Maximo” because throughout that innings I could hear him and shared a few jokes as well. And it has meant that we have kept in touch till now.
What other Nicknames do you have?
When I played club cricket in Yorkshire, my best friend Ashwell Prince was playing in the Lancashire league. We played a club match together, they called me Longgoddowich (pronounced Long Dogg O Wich)….that has kinda stuck, so many just call me The Dogg.
How has your life changed since covid19 crisis?
Well, I certainly have done a great deal of reading, and watching other sports coaches online. I have been trying new ways of coaching by doing different training methods in the garden. It’s been quite fun though. I have been watching movies as well, but everything has been different being in lockdown.
Cricket-wise how has your life changed since covid19 crisis?
I have been doing mostly reports, watching games online, and catching up on cricket admin. Also, it’s been good chatting to other coaches and using this time to catch up with players.
What’s the toughest part of the current covid19 crisis for you?
Not coaching in person has been tough. I do have a running group as well so interacting with people is something that I like. I do miss the engagement with others a great deal.
Positively, what is the best part? If any?!
Coming up with new ideas and reflecting on where I am currently and also planning for what’s to come. I have been doing a lot of writing and that helps with the practical nature that I possess within myself.
Who or what is your greatest inspiration at this time?
I have had the fortune to have great people in my life that have been an inspiration to me as a player as well as a coach. Coaches like Duncan Fletcher and Vincent Barnes both helped me playing wise, while Vincent and Shukri Conrad certainly helped me on my coaching journey.
What do you do more of these days? And less?
I have been working a great deal on my short game in golf. I play off 8, I can hit a long ball, can hit irons, but my short game is something of an embarrassment to say the least lol…
What would be your dream FIRST game back after the fight has been won against covid19?
Beating TUKS University in the Varsity Cup. TUKS are renowned as the best cricketing university in South Africa and because I am the coach of UCT, beating them would be great.
What was the highlight of your cricketing career so far?
Winning the Pro20 (T20) competition in 2007 with Highveld Lions. That was the national competition in South Africa at the time.
What was the highlight of your coaching career so far?
Winning the 1-day competition in Ireland with the Northern Knights, which is the provincial team. Gaining promotion with UCT in my first year as coach.
Who is the best bowler you've faced?
Shane Warne and Brett Lee. Before the 2003 world cup in South Africa, we played a warm up game against Australia. One of my best experiences on and off the field.
The fastest bowler you've faced?
Brett Lee is certainly up there. Nixon McLean could also crank it up especially when you tried to play the pull shot …
And the best spinner faced?
As mentioned, it’s hard to look past Shane Warne.
Who is the best batsman you've played with?
Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, both at Western Province, Neil McKenzie at Highveld Lions.
And against?
Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting……happy to say I claimed three wickets that day we played Australia. Gilchrist, Hayden and Andy Bichel were the trio.
Find out more about Eugene Moleon on the European Cricket Studio live on Instagram @europeancricket from 1700 CET on Tuesday and Thursday this week with “Mr Maximo” Vinny Sandhu!
