Bay cricketers ready for battle against world’s best
Port Elizabeth cricketers Luke Beaufort and Tiaan van Vuuren will realise a lifelong dream when they pull on the green and gold to represent SA at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup starting today.
They start their campaign with a clash against Afghanistan at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley.
Both former Grey High pupils, they have seen their cricketing stars gradually rise to their selection for the U19 squad, which has seen the likes of AB de Villiers, Aiden Markram, Lutho Sipamla and many others who have gone on to represent the senior Proteas squad.
Matches will take place in Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Potchefstroom.
The competition features 16 teams all vying for the coveted world cup trophy, which SA won in 2014.
“There is a lot of excitement in the squad right now. I think it will be a tough match,” Van Vuuren said.
“As with any other world cup match, you cannot take it lightly.
“I don’t think there is much we can still improve on at this point.
“I feel we have produced some quality in our batting, bowling and fielding and I think we showed that in the [recently concluded] series.
“Now it’s all about showing that we are capable of producing the same quality in our matches.
“Opening up with a win would be great as that then takes some of the pressure off the side, and will allow us to be a lot more relaxed heading into our second game [against Canada],” he said.
Beaufort said: “Preparing for any match has never been a problem for us as we are always ready for any match.
“Everyone has been putting in a lot of hard work.
“We know that Afghanistan are a quality side.
“I have played against them [on a tour] in India, so I know what they are capable of.
“So we cannot take this game lightly, we have to go in with a champion mentality and not underestimate them.
“Our strength is certainly our bowling. It is always on the mark, with quick bowlers up front who can really unsettle the new batsmen.
“Our top- and lower-order batsmen have really stepped up to the plate in recent times.
“The only improvement I think we can make is in the middle order, where we need to try not to lose wickets in clusters but rather spend more time in the middle.”
Asked how the homeground advantage could play in their favour, Van Vuuren said:
“Playing in front of our home crowd will force the boys to up their standards in a bid to make their families proud.”
Beaufort said: “Going on tours keeps you away from your family for long periods, so it’s important for the players to know that their families and the rest of SA are watching and supporting them.”