Day 2 of the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola U19 Cricket Week in Pretoria saw the morning session rained out.
Day 2 of the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola U19 Cricket Week in Pretoria saw the morning session rained out.
Only one of the eight scheduled games – Nambia vs SWD – started on time, with the rest of the matches converted to T20 games, which started in the afternoon.
Representing the Eastern Province U19 side from Grahamstown are Andrew Mills (St Andrew’s College), Odwa Xonxa (Graeme College), Brad Haller and Marco Lombard (both Kingswood College).
The organising committee then decided to change the programme, repeating Thursday’s rained out fixtures as 50-over limited overs games tomorrow, Friday 19 December.
Tournament director Morgan Pillay explained that it was felt that the two T20 games that were scheduled for Friday would have to be sacrificed in favour of a full length limited overs game because that would give the players who are in the running for SA Schools and Colt selection an opportunity to perform against opposition that was originally decided on a strength vs strength basis.
“The T20 games are an important part of the tournament because we want to expose our young cricketers to all aspects of the game,” Pillay said, “so it’s a great pity that we had to drop them this year, but at least the players will get in one 20 over game, on Thursday afternoon.”
Rain delays are part of the game, according to Pierre Hugo, the tournament referee and a man who has attended more Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Weeks than anyone else present in Pretoria this week.
“I like to say that cricket is the one game that closest resembles real life,” he said. “That’s what makes it such a valuable educational sport. Take this rain interruption, for example. The lesson to be learnt is that no matter how well you are prepared and how keen you are to get going, things don’t always work out, and you have to compromise.”
So, the players spent the morning playing soccer, and sitting around getting to know each other, while the coaches and officials did what they always do – discuss the statistical finer points of the game and its educational value.
And everyone cast frequent glances heavenwards, hoping for clear skies, and at least some action in the afternoon session.
sport@grocotts.co.za
