THE girls’ teams of Eastern Province could not have asked for a better time to shine on the cricket field.
Next year is a special time for women’s cricket in South Africa.
The Women’s u/19 T20 World Cup and the Women’s T20 World Cup will both take place in South Africa.
Against this background, and with more and more opportunities these days for women cricketers, the upcoming u/19 and u/16 national weeks are the first steps on the road to bigger things.
Good showings are expected from the EP girls at the u/16 week, starting on Monday in East London, and the u/19 week starting on Tuesday in Bloemfontein.
The u/19 side is coached by Robin du Plessis, who is happy about how preparations are going.
“I am fortunate enough to have worked with most of the players throughout the year. They do understand their roles in the team,” Du Plessis said.
He is excited about the fact that he has experience in the side.
“The team is pretty much the same as last year’s, with only three new faces coming in.
“Knowing that we have some experience from last year to build on is exciting.”
Du Plessis feels that the team’s main strength this year is that the players in the group complement each other.
“We do think we can do well in all three disciplines of the game,” Du Plessis said, and added that they won’t be relying on two or three stars to do the business.
“All the players will play key roles at the week,” was his answer when asked to name a few players to look out for in Bloemfontein.
The boys’ u/13 week, where EP was represented by two teams, ended yesterday in Gauteng.
Jordan Strydom of Grey High will captain the EP u/16-team in their tournament starting on Sunday in Gauteng.
The u/19-week will be played from December 15 to 18in Stellenbosch.
Teams
- Girls u/19:Caiden Adams (Alexander Road High), Asanda Mbodla (Sakhisizwe High), Jordan Cole (Pearson High), Gaby Johannes (Pearson High), Leila Nel (Framesby High), Megan Fourie (DF Malherbe High), Erin Hambridge (Westering High), Luna Gana (Molly Blackburn High), Namhla Ngxande (Molly Blackburn High), Alison Kroon, Lana von Hagen, Iman Bannasse, Reece Foreman (all Woodridge High).
- Girls u/16:Kacey Campher (Alexander Road High), Olwethu Kwedini (Loyiso High), Sithenkosi Mbangutha (Collegiate High), Suhaa Amed (Woolhope High), Zanele Mkele (Ithembelihle High), Tsepiso Malahleha-Qaku (Collegiate High), Sesona Jodwana (Pearson High), Tara Nell (Pearson High), Reze van Rooyen, Danika Marais, Danell Botha, Ankia Kapp (all Framesby High), Sinazo Mjacu (Kwazakhele High).
- Boys u/19:Ashley Ostling (Grey High), Zack Mickelwright (St Andrews College), Casey Keevy, Coby van Heerden (both Grey), Simnikiwe Soyaya (Muir College), Daniel Ristow (Grey High), Matthew Beamish (St Andrew’s College), Aphiwe Mnyanda (Graeme College), Olwakhe Goqoza, Russell Peterson (both Victoria Park High), Viwe Gana (Graeme College), Lisa Namba (Kwesi-Lomso Secondary), Esa Gangat (Pearson High).
