YOUNG cricketers from Nelson Mandela Bay have benefited enormously from the Women’s T20 World Cup and SA20 matches in Gqeberha.
It is especially the women’s matches that have made a huge impact. Many young school girls are now motivated to take up cricket as their sport of choice.
Young players not only got the chance to attend matches at St George’s Park, but also various coaching clinics conducted by international teams all over the metro also attracted a lot of new participants.
The Eastern Province girls in the South African School Side, Megan Fourie (DF Malherbe) and Jordan Cole (Pearson), were amongst those who had the opportunity to bowl to the international players during practices.
Tom van Antwerp, Sulaymaan Gangat, Cayden Wilson and Logan Ferreira were the other Pearson players who joined Cole at the nets.
Fourie felt it was “an absolute privilege” to be involved.
“It is a great experience to bowl at the net practices to the players of Australia, Bangladesh, India and South Africa.
“I learned a lot and saw how these teams go about their routines. It also gave me a chance to meet some big name players,” said Fourie.
When the East Cape Sunrisers – the winning team of the SA20 tournament – were in town, the bowling coach and Proteas legend, Dale Steyn, also gave Fourie bowling tips.
The Framesby girls certainly enjoyed their experience at the Women’s T20 World Cup matches.
Framesby said in social media it was “an unbelievable experience and the learners were super excited” to be involved as flag bearers.
A household name in women’s cricket these days is the former DF Malherbe pupil, Marizanne Kapp.
She said she hopes the many young girls who have supported her and the Proteas team will take inspiration from having watched the players live in action on the world’s biggest stage.
Girls’ cricket, among the Nelson Mandela Bay schools, is picking up at a rapid pace. More matches are being played, and the quality is improving.
Fourie delivered an impressive all-round performance for DF Malherbe against Collegiate recently.
DF won by eight wickets, with Fourie taking 3/4 in four overs, and then scoring 55 unbeaten runs.
Elishe Brandt (2/15) also bowled well and Tania van der Rijst (19) supported Fourie in an unbroken partnership.
Woodridge has a strong team with two players, Lana von Hagen and Iman Bonasse, in the side who have recently been picked for the EP senior team. Woodridge beat Framesby by four wickets.
The welcome rain made it difficult for many schools to get on the field this past weekend but there are still some very interesting clashes coming up.
