South African Tactician Drills Botswana Cricket Team

Dumisani Ncube | Monday May 4, 2015 15:13

More than 20 players from the BCA north and south clubs attended the camp. The training was part of the build up to the ICC World Cricket League Division VI tournament, which England hosts in September this year. At the camp, Rudolph conducted coaching sessions and taught players different off and on the field techniques. The tactician told Sport Monitor that he drilled players on a number of batting techniques. “I observed that the boys just want to hit the ball, but there are a number of approaches that you have to apply when batting,” he explained.

Rudolph, who has previously worked as a consultant for the Botswana Under-19 side, said the three-day camp focused on the batting department since it has a lot of weaknesses. “Batting is a vital element in a match. Players should have the strength to last for the whole 50 overs in a match. Your opponent is not supposed to take some of your overs by bowling you out before reaching 50 overs,” he explained. He said that in his return trip on a date to be announced, he would take the team through other cricket techniques and skills in bowling, fielding and fitness.

Rudolph stated that overall, he was impressed with the unity and discipline of the Botswana team. “I noticed that there are lots of good batsmen here and the discipline was good; everyone was doing what they were told to do,” he said.

Senior players such as James Moses, captain Karabo Modise, Karabo Motlhanka and Under-19 captain, Rashaad Mosweu were part of the team in the camp. BCA development officers; Reginald Nehonde, Innocent Chipfumbe and Adam Mostafa were part of the weekend training.

Rudolph has mentored a number of Proteas players such as Dale Steyn, AB de Villiers and his son, Jacques Rudolph. He runs a cricket academy in Mpumalanga named after him.