THE

THE TEMPERATURE in Kimberley is rising and the diagnosis is that cricket fever has really hit the city with the arrival of the biggest cricket party since 2009 when last the IPL was in town.

The ICC Under-19 Cricket

World Cup starts tomorrow with all 50-over clashes throughout the tournament starting at 10am.

The action at the world-class Diamond Oval kicks tomorrow off with hosts South Africa taking on an unpredictable Afghanistan team in their World Cup opener. The game gets under way after the official opening ceremony that starts at 8am.

The opening ceremony will feature performances by local production companies, a joint-venture by Amanda Dance company and Galeshewe Dance; you don’t want to miss it. As an added bonus, our city’s own talent from Northern Cape Cricket will be showing off their talent to the world. And they will need you there to cheer them on.

The Province has a proud record in the Under-19 tournament. In 2012 NCC had two players in the Under-19 World Cup that was played in Australia, when Diego Rosier and Gihahn Cloete turned out for the team.

On Tuesday local lad Roy Adams who represented South Africa at the 2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia was part of a delegation that visited the Diamond Oval to check on the readiness of the facilities. Adams and his team gave the Diamond Oval their thumbs-up and Adams made a special appeal to all the young cricketers in and around the city to come in their numbers and support the World Cup right here on their doorstep.

In the next few weeks, the city can also look forward to some humdingers with Australia, England,

West Indies and Nigeria all poised to show off their talents at the Diamond Oval.

The influx of all the teams, match officials and broadcasters will turn the city into a hive of activity. Hotels, guest houses, restaurants and heritage sites will all be seeing increased activity and Kimberlites will have the opportunity

to show our visitors a level of hospitality above and beyond what is expected.

Please note that the entrance to the Oval is free. However, please be aware that normal safety measures will apply.

It is vitally important to note that no glass bottles will be allowed into the Stadium.

STAMP OF APPROVAL: Dave Alexander Checking on the readiness of the facilities at the Diamond Oval on Tuesday were (from left): Roy Adams, Aubrey Swanepoel, Sarah Edgar (event operations manager, International Cricket Council) and Sherwin Jacobs (Diamond Oval Stadium manager). Picture: