SCHOOL cricketers in Nelson Mandela Bay are divided about two-day matches, also called declaration or time cricket.
Some players love the format but others make no secret about the fact that they prefer the shorter versions of the sport.
Recent performances of our national youth teams showed the players lack the skills required in the longer format.
This is why some coaches feel there is a place for the longer format at school level, even if the shorter formats are growing in popularity.
“I am a huge supporter of time cricket. It is the building block of all cricket,” said head of cricket at Grey High, Deon Kruis.
“You must be able to master time cricket to play the other formats. Most top players started their careers with red ball cricket (longer matches).
“For us, time cricket is still the pinnacle and has many advantages. In the first term we mostly play time cricket.
“Those matches are important for the bowlers to bowl longer spells. It teaches a bowler to bowl with a more attacking field placing and the batters get more time in the middle,” the former fast bowler explained.
“At the Pearson Festival, two days are usually set aside for time cricket. In the last term we play 50 overs matches.
“Gauteng schools play much more limited overs matches. They are results-driven but for us time cricket gives the player more opportunity to develop his skills.”
Framesby High sees it a bit differently, according to coach, Konrad de Villiers.
“We prefer the shorter version. We have many rugby players for whom cricket is a second sport and our boys like a format where there is a result.
“Over the last decade, we have regularly been playing time cricket. The boys like it now and again.”
De Villiers agrees there are advantages.
“The batters learn to play a patient long innings and the bowlers need to bowl long spells.
“This will help the players after their school days but there is only a handful of players that take on three or four-day cricket in a professional set-up after school.
“A disadvantage is that many teams that play a lot of time cricket depend heavily on one or two bowlers. Not everyone gets a chance to be involved.
“You have to use at least five bowlers in the shorter game and more players are then involved. The batters know they can’t hang around because their mates also want a chance.
“It is a disadvantage to play for a full day and there is still no result. These days, you want to see a result.
“Today’s children want to do many things but for a short period of time.”
