CAN STAR AT CRICKET WORLD CUP
Five youngsters from Eastern Cape to do battle for country
THE South Africa U19 team has the capability of doing well at the International Cricket Council U19 World Cup later this month, star batsman Matthew Breetzke said. Eastern Province and Warriors ace Breetzke 19, along with fellow EP teammates Jade de Klerk and Kenan Smith, both 18, want to record their names in the history books when they take on the best young cricketers in the world at the global tournament in New Zealand from January 13 to February 3.
The three will need to bring their A-game to the group stage as they face hosts New Zealand, defending champions West Indies and Kenya in Group A of the three-week long extravaganza.
Eastern Province will be well represented in the 15-man U19 squad at the 12th edition of the tournament with Breetzke, De Klerk and Smith.
Border’s Jason Niemand, 19, and Akhona Mnyaka, 18, were also given the nod for the young SA quad.
The province’s players left for Pretoria yesterday for a two-day training camp, before jetting off to New Zealand tomorrow evening.
Breetzke, who has represented EP, the Warriors and SA U19, said it was an honour to be selected.
He was the leading run-scorer for the aspiring Proteas, with 238 runs in their Youth One-Day triangular series against England and Namibia in Potchefstroom last month.
“I am very happy to be selected [for the team]. I hope I can do my country proud. I’m going into the tournament with a clear mind and to enjoy myself,” he said.
“Ultimately, we want to win the tournament, but we will take it one game at a time, just give our all in every match, and hope our performances can bring in the results.”
De Klerk represented EP before his call up to the SA U19 team after some fine domestic performances as a left-arm orthodox spinner.
Asked what made the game so special for him, De Klerk said: “I think its the memories made as players, but also the people you meet and the support from teammates when you are feeling down.”
Smith, who represented EP in addition to some appearances in the national setup, said the opportunity to compete at such a prestigious event was a dream come true.
“My love for the game developed playing day-night games with my friends in the street – we would play after school without even eating at times,” the all-rounder said.
Talking about his preparation for the World Cup tournament, the allrounder said he was mentally and physically ready for the battle.
“Cricket is pretty much the same as life for me – it’s about doing what is right, not what is easy and the game has taught me a lot about discipline and dedication,” he said.
Smith echoed Breetzke’s comment about taking each game as it comes, but ultimately hopes to bring home the cup to South Africa.
SA U19 team manager and Port Elizabeth-based sports administrator Riaan Osman said it was a feather in the cap for the province to have five players in the U19 squad.
He said Runeshan Moodley, also from the Bay, was recently appointed as the team’s fitness trainer and would also be travelling with the SA U19 squad.
“Hopefully these players can remain in the system for a long time, because what happens is we [the Eastern Cape] produce the youngsters and then they move to other provinces,” Osman said.