Cricket is commonly known as the gentlemen’s game. Having said that, cricketers are also known to be very romantic men. On the cricket field, you would often see them hugging each other when a bowler has taken a wicket or blowing kisses to each other when a batsman reaches a certain milestone. Similar attributes of affection of this kind were expressed by Highveld Lions captain and coach, Neil McKenzie and Geoffrey Toyana, during the lunch break of the third day of their final Sunfoil Series match against the Chevrolet Warriors at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth.
I discovered that there is more to these cricket icons than just cricket. McKenzie was a little shy to converse about Valentine’s Day plans he had for his wife, Kerry McGregor. But after much convincing, he couldn’t help but spill the beans.
“I try to treat my wife to a lovely dinner for just the two of us on Valentine’s Day. We’d just converse, catch up since I’m always traveling with my cricket, and just let the red wine flow.” The Lions skipper definitely keeps things nice and simple –just like his batting.
However, Toyana has a more radical yet flawless approach to treating his woman. For this year’s Valentine’s Day, the “Lion King” [Toyana] plans to even go the extra mile for his lovely lady as she recently gave birth to little Buchule Toyana. “My wife has been having one too many sleepless nights with the little chap around in the house
. So for Valentine’s Day I plan on literally going over the top for her. While I shall be staying at home and taking care of Buchule, she will be at the spa getting a nice long massage, getting her hair and nails done, etc. Once all that is done, she will then come home to a delicious cooked meal, specially made by a chef who shall come to the house for us.”
When asked about the chef cooking for his wife rather than him doing all the dirty work in the kitchen, Toyana relentlessly enlightened us that it shall be much safer to have a chef coming to the house than doing the cooking himself, as he’s frightened he might end up burning the neighbourhood –let alone the kitchen. “Gee whiz! I really don’t want to spoil a lovely day with my cooking.
I’m not even talking about the food; I mean how we are going to accomplish a cooked meal when there’s a huge chance I could end up burning boiled water!” he jokes while imagining the look on his wife’s face if all that were to happen.
Cricket stars Neil McKenzie and Geoffrey Toyana reveal their romantic personalities through thoughtful Valentine’s Day surprises. McKenzie values quality time with his wife, combining dinner, conversation, and wine, while Toyana prioritizes his wife’s relaxation after motherhood. His plans include childcare, spa pampering, and a chef-prepared dinner, demonstrating that love can be expressed through practical support, personal attention, and humor.
