Junior cricketers enjoyed a Double Wicket Challenge at Port Shepstone Country Club two day before Christmas.
This was a follow on from the Robbie Coutts Cricket Academy event organised two weeks before.
Francois Smit was the player of the day, bowling some beautiful away swingers, two of which saw him clean bowl the batsman.
He ended with figures of 2-16 in five overs and the bowling prize. Saien Chetty was next best in terms of economy, with figures of 0-24 in five overs.
Francois batted well for his 24 runs, smacking a few fours and a six over backward square leg.
He edged out Sphephelo Mlambo for the player of the day by a single run (batting and bowling combined).
Sphephelo had a great day with the bat and ball, making 34 (including four fours and a six) and took 3-27 with the ball.
He was awarded the batting prize, with Khulubuse Mlondo close with 32 runs, including seven fours.
Khulubuse was presented with the sportsmanship trophy for his quiet encouragement.
Fielder of the day was Jaydon Koekemoer, who displayed some energetic athleticism in the outfield.
He also struck a hearty 18 runs.
This time around the boys played with the 135g ball as nearly all will be in the U13 age group in 2024.
Up until this point the U11s have used the 113g. Of the 12 boys who played only Saien Chetty used the 113g ball, as he still has two years in the U11 age group.
He’s only nine years old and has more than held his own among the older players.
The youngster has been especially good with the ball, bowling the least wides on the day.
Overall, too many wides were bowled so the boys going up to the U13s will need to adjust to the bigger ball quickly.
There were some superb catches taken, and a few spilt, but that’s cricket.
Fielding was pretty good, with some exciting run outs.
The new year promises much, and it will be interesting to see how these youngsters fare for their school teams.
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