With the Protea teams, both the men’s and women’s national cricket teams, having done so well on the international cricket stages – it’s no wonder a set of twins from Parkmore spend up to five hours per week training to someday represent the national sides.
Multi-disciplinary athletes Tago and Alexia Moonsamy were hard at work at George Lea Park’s batting cages on July 6, where they met their extra-curricular trainer Anesu Choga.
The twins, who turn 12 on July 11, both expressed having been inspired by the Protea teams’ performance over the years as their drive to join the sport. The latest second-place ranking by the women’s side against Australia at the Women’s World Cup in 2023 moved Alexia to develop an interest in adding cricket to the list of sports she already plays.
“I like cricket,” she said. “I started this year. I really enjoy the games, and I aspire to play this sport until I am good at it. I also participate in a lot more sports. I swim and play tennis, soccer, and hockey. I also take part in Athletics.”
Alexia was also celebrating an achievement. “I was capped today,” she said, showing off her black and gold cap. “You get capped when you play ten games.”
Tiago, who also plays soccer and hockey, shared what has kept him invested in playing cricket, highlighting how cathartic it feels to actually strike the ball.
“I started training a few years ago because I was looking for something active to do, and cricket looks fun,” said Tiago. “When I’m about to hit the ball, it feels like I’m the main character of the story. It’s really fun hitting the ball with the bat, and bowling.”
Their coach Anesu Choga, from South Africa Cricket Academy in Sandton, expressed a cathartic sensation gained from coaching the hundreds of young cricketers he has had the opportunity to work with through the academy over the last few years.
“It brings me joy, how, when they start off, they don’t know anything, and then I see them gradually become professionals,” Choga concluded. “I began coaching three years ago. Cricket is very therapeutic, and I enjoy seeing players improve.”
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