Cricket challenge a little disappointing
| HOWZAT: Nelson Mandela district (batting) took on Chris Hani district in the provincial U17 cricket challenge played at the Port Alfred High School sports fields last week. Players at this level of the game could qualify to play for the provincial or even national cricket side in the future Picture: ROB KNOWLES |
ROB KNOWLES
ONLY three Eastern Cape districts came together at Port Alfred High School sports fields to compete in the provincial U17 cricket challenge which took place from Tuesday December 11 to Thursday December 13.
Teams were selected from players from the Chris Hani, Nelson Mandela and Cacadu districts and organised through the Eastern Cape department of sports, recreation, arts and culture. Unfortunately, other districts did not supply teams for this year's challenge.
Deputy Director Zwelinzima Nkwinti told TotT that the players selected to play had all only barely missed the selection in the national U17 squad.
"This is essentially the second layer of provincial under 17 players who are all in contention to play for the Eastern Cape provincial side,” he said.
He anticipated the cricket challenge will attract even more players to come to Port Alfred in the future.
"With only three districts represented at this year's tournament, we will endeavour to have a full contingent here next year,” he said.
The tournament also featured a mini-cricket challenge, organised by Eastern Province provincial mini-cricket coordinator Mercia Baatjies.
