Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
T20 Cup gives youngsters shot to shine
SA Under-19s and semi-pros get to rub shoulders with Proteas stars in new CSA tournament
WHEN franchise cricket dawned upon the South African cricket landscape in the 2004/05 season, there were many that took a long time to associate themselves with the “new” teams playing at their favourite venues. Fans yearned for the traditional provincial rivalries, the equivalent of rugby’s Currie Cup, and the days when Western Province took on the old Transvaal “Mean Machine”.
With the Champions League T20 dissolving this year, Cricket SA saw an opening in a congested schedule to re-ignite the passion of these loyal supporters by launching the Africa T20 Cup. CSA also factored in the changing times by including neighbours Zimbabwe, Kenya and Namibia alongside its 12 CSA affiliates, as well as associate member, KwaZuluNatal Inland.
The format of the tournament will be the hugely-popular T20 version of the game, with four pools of four teams each, and the winners of the respective pools qualifying for the semi-finals. Easterns (Willowmoore Park), North West (Senwes Park), Griquas (Diamond Oval) and Free State ( Mangaung Oval) will be the venues for the four pool matches.
The potential of the tournament, though, reaches far beyond just a marketing gimmick by CSA, but could actually prove to be a highly effective method of showcasing untapped potential the country has to offer.
Many
semi- professional players and former SA Under19 internationals that were victorious in the ICC Under-19 World Cup, and also now again on the recent CSA Academy tour to Sri Lanka, will be hoping to further enhance their claims for higher honours during the tournament that will run from September 4 to October 4.
“The Africa T20 Cup is certainly a great initiative from Cricket South Africa. I think we can expect a very high standard of cricket, with the youngsters and semi-pros keen to test their skill levels on a higher stage,” WP coach and former South African Cricket Board legend Faiek Davids said.
“Playing alongside a Protea in each team will also ensure the quality of cricket will be good, as their experience will especially come to the fore in terms of high standard of preparation.
“With it also being a T20 tournament, there will almost be like an IPL (Indian Premier League) feel to it as the Proteas will be like the overseas internationals that the young Indian players have learnt so much from.
“It’s not every day that young players get the opportunities to share a dressingroom with the Hashim Amlas, Vernon Philanders of the world, so just being able to train and see how they go about their business will do wonders for their development.”
Davids also feels the inclusion of neighbouring African states Zimbabwe, Kenya and Namibia will add to the “international” feel of the tournament.
“There is no doubt the African teams will add to the quality of the tournament. They are international teams that have played in the ICC World T20 qualifiers recently,” Davids said.
“We had a look at the Zimbabwean team that they will be sending, and despite it being a ‘Presidents XI’, there are plenty of guys who have played Test and One- Day International cricket already. They will provide stiff opposition for all the teams they come up against.”
With the tournament scheduled for the central and northern venues around the country, Davids believes the coastal teams may be at a slight disadvantage due to the lack of actual game time out in the middle at this stage of the season.
He is currently on a pre-season tour to Oudtshoorn with his WP team in a bid to get some playing time under their belts, although he is hoping that his players returning from duty on the SA Emerging Squad (Sri Lanka) and SA A tours are ready for action.
“We are in Oudtshoorn to get some miles in the bowlers’ legs and the batsmen to hit some balls outside. You can’t practise outdoors here until mid-September and, as luck would have it, our pool is the first in action in the first week of the month,” Davids said.
“But I have spoken to all of my players to make sure that they are sharpening their skills, but it is far better for them to be involved in competitive international cricket than being back here at the moment.”
We profile four young players to look out for: THE Rondebosch Boys’ High prodigy’s progress will be closely monitored in his first tournament at senior level.
Having excelled at every schoolboy level, the 18-year-old all-rounder has the potential to be the next big thing in South African cricket, and possibly fill the Proteas’ troublesome No 7 spot in the coming seasons.
Galiem is a fast- medium bowler and has the ability to hit a long ball, but most importantly he has showed that he has the temperament for the big occasion when he delivered a triple-wicket maiden final over to close out a match at last year’s Khaya Majola Week. THE 19- year- old from Port Shepstone on the South Coast of KZN is another colt looking to audition for that crucial No 7 all-rounder position.
Phehlukwayo, though, is further down the line in his progression, having already played a season of first-class cricket for the Dolphins while he still at Glenwood High School last year.
Furthermore, he gained the invaluable experience of joining the Dolphins on their maiden Champions League T20 journey to India last season.
Although it was a baptism of fire for the teenager at times, he showed he has the talent to succeed at the highest level as he let rip with the bat against the Chennai Super Kings. A WORLD CUP winner with the Baby Proteas in Dubai last year, the 20-year-old wicketkeeperbatsman had a tough initiation at franchise level with the Cape Cobras last season.
With Test wicketkeeper Dane Vilas also ahead of him in the Cape, Fortuin has opted for a move further down the coast to the Warriors to further his career.
A strong showing with the bat for the SA Emerging squad in Sri Lanka, under mentor Shukri Conrad, recently has helped restore the confidence of one of the country’s most promising talents.
With the wicketkeeper position currently in a state of disarray at national level due to Quinton de Kock’s indifferent form, a couple of good performances during the Africa T20 Cup could just set Fortuin on his way to really push for higher honours this coming season. THE skipper of the victorious Baby Proteas has found it tough breaking into the Titans franchise team, but that has not deterred the talented opening batsman from Tukkies.
At every level he plays he continues to shatter batting records, and the Africa T20 Cup could just be what he needs to remind everyone of his talent.
Many have likened him to a young Graeme Smith, such is his pedigree.
SQUADS FOR THE AFRICA T20 Cup Border: Jerry Nqolo (capt), Somila Seyibokwe, Gionne Koopman, Clyde Fortuin, Christiaan Jonker, Aya Gqamane, Darryl Brown, Marco Marais, Jongile Kilani, Papama Fojela, Loyiso Mdashe, Clayton Bosch, Lundi Mbane. Coach: Frank Plaatjes Northerns: Albie Morkel ( capt), Heinrich Klaasen, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Corbin Bosch, Rowan Richards, Ruben Claassen, Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Alfred Mothoa, Lungi Ngidi, Lerato Kgoatle, Qaasim Adam, Theunis de Bruyn. Coach: March Charlton KZN: Cameron Delport, Khalipha Cele, David Miller, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Daniel Sincuba, Sibonelo Makhanya, Andile Phehlukwayo, Craig Kirsten, Brandon Scullard, Jason Oakes, Rabian Engelbrecht, Mishkal Ramsaroop. Coach: Roger Telemachus Free State: Patrick Botha (capt), Andries Gous, Rilee Rossouw, Romano Terblanche, Bokang Mosena, Michael Erlank, Leus du Plooy, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Dillon du Preez, Lwandiswa Zuma, Malusi Siboto, Driaan Bruwer, Thabo Masheshemane. Coach: Edward Mokoenanyana WP: Pieter Malan (capt), Dane Vilas, Omphile Ramela, Lesiba Ngoepe, Zubayr Hamza, Aviwe Mgijima, Wayne Parnell, George Linde, Dayyaan Galiem, Emmanuel Seberame, Dane Paterson, Travis Muller, Jack Newby. Coach: Faiek Davids Easterns: Ernest Kemm (capt), Thando Bula, Mangaliso Mosehle, Johan Fourie, Grant Thomson, Siphamandla Dapo, Wesley Coulentianos, Vincent Moore, Tabraiz Shamsi, Junior Dala, Ethy Mbhalati, Clayton August, Quinton de Kock. Coach: Andre Nel EP: Jon-Jon Smuts (capt), Gihahn Cloete, Sisanda Magala, Kelly Smuts, Tladi Bokako, Basheer Walters, Eddie Moore, James Price, Matthew Christensen, Brad Dolley, Ngazi Sigwili, Ethan O’Reilly, Onke Nyaku. Coach: Piet Botha Boland: Dewald Botha (capt), Jean Marais, Hashim Amla, Cebo Tsiki, Justin Ontong, Michael Loubser, Robin Peterson, Ferisco Adams, Tshepo Moreki, Zack Qwabe, Gereldo George, Simon Khomari, Neil Botha. Coach: Johann Louw Gauteng: Sizwe Masondo, Matthew Arnold, Temba Bavuma, Devon Conway, Yassar Cook, Bradley Dial, Keith Dudgeon, Eddie Leie, Carmi Le Roux, Kagiso Rabada, Dominic Hendricks, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Yassen Valli. Coach: Enoch Nkwe. Griquas: Reeza Hendricks, Gerhardt Abrahams, Diego Rosier, Aubrey Swanepoel, Jandré Coetzee, Jan Frylinck, Patrick Kruger, Kagisho Mohale, Zak Kathrada, Warren Bell, Mbulelo Budaza, Jan Hendrik Steenkamp, Tumelo Bodibe. Coach: JP Triegaardt Zimbabwe: Malcolm Waller (capt), Keith Jaure, Luke Jongwe, Roy Kaia, Kevin Kasuza, Neville Madziva, Wellington Masakadza, Peter Moor, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Richmond Mutumbami, Taurai Muzarabani, Richara Ngarava, John Nyumbu, Kudzai Sauramba, Donald Tiripano. Kenya: Rakep Patel, Irfan Karim, Shem Ngoche, Narendra Kaylan, Alex Obanda, Dhiren Gondaria, Nelson Odhiambo, Elijah Otieno, Lucas Ndandason, Collins Obuya, Karan Kaul, Emmanuel Bundi, Rushabh Patel.
KZN Inland, North West, Namibia have yet to announce their squads.