Youngsters from Alexandra had a cricketing blast during the school holidays at the Sandton Action Sports Arena.
The venue was jam-packed on 2 and 3 October as 11 schools from Alex fielded teams in the second annual Alex Cricket Holiday Programme, hosted by The Cricket Company.
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As the company’s event coordinator, Raymond Marutha explained, the purpose of the programme was to develop cricketing skills in Alexandra schools and also served as an initial trial for the selection of an Alexandra action cricket team.
The 132 children who turned up, turned up with skill and passion also.
“Many of the children just play outdoor cricket, so some of the first day was spent understanding action cricket,” Marutha said.
“By the second day, everybody was having fun and playing well. They said they wished they could play for the whole week.”
An action cricket tournament played on the second day turned out to be extremely competitive.
However, the final between MC Weiler Primary School and Zenzeleni Primary School was one-sided, as MC Weiler bowled and fielded well to restrict Zenzeleni to only eight runs off their eight overs (runs are deducted for wickets taken), and then romped to a 60-run victory after their innings.
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“Some of these players are Proteas in the making,” smiled a proud MC Weiler coach, Thabiso Maretole.
“Some players are eight years old, but they bowl like professionals.”
Kagiso Timbeni of MC Weiler was awarded the bowler of the tournament, Ramupi Malatji of Skeen Primary School was batsman of the tournament and Kabelo Rapodile of MC Weiler was player of the tournament.
The best player in each team was awarded cricket gear.
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