Under-14 cricket side in South Africa

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Friday July 16, 2010 00:00

The squad is expected to leave today and returns on Monday. The Eastern Junior Club Cricket Association (EJCCA) of South Africa has organised the two-day tournament that starts tomorrow. The tournament will be held at the Eastern Cricket Union Sahara Park. The Gauteng Under-13, Ekurhuleni Under-13 and Ekurhuleni Under-12 will be the other teams in contention.

Games will be played in the morning (30 overs) and in the evening (20 overs).

BCA chief executive officer, Girish Ramakrishna said the tournament is a wonderful opportunity for the youngsters who will get an opportunity to showcase their talent against strong South African sides. 'This will help them get used to tournaments of a higher level unlike when they perform at home (Botswana) against players they are already used to,' he said.

Ramakrishna said the South African tournament has helped the current Under-15 Botswana side.'You can even see by the way they (Under-15) walk on to the field and hold their cricket equipment,' Ramakrishna said.

He is confident that the Under-14 boys will acquaint themselves well. He said that South Africa has ideal cricket structures that will make the boys come back better cricketers. 'The children are excited and are looking forward to the tournament,' he said.

Ramakrishna hopes that next year, the players from regions where cricket has just been introduced will be represented in the national squad. 'BCA has organised numerous orientation projects that have received a large turnout of children around the country,' he said.