U19 cricketers prepare for England tour

A new generation of young players is emerging after the majority of the under-19 World Cup-winning side is coming of age, cricket coach Lawrence Mahatlane said on Monday (30/06/2014).

"This will be an exciting challenge for a new generation of youngsters, including some of them who were gutted about not making the World Cup side," Mahatlane said at the University of Pretoria where a group of 25 cricketers were assembled for a three-day game.

"Some of them are so young, I don't know if they remember there was a World Cup in February."

Andile Phehlukwayo and Sibonelo Makhanya were the only two members of the World Cup squad available for selection for the month long tour of England at the end of July.

Although the schedule had not yet been confirmed, South Africa were due to play two four-day Youth Tests and five 50-over matches against England, who finished third, behind South Africa and Pakistan U19 in the under-19 World Cup in February/March.

A final squad of 15 players for the tour would be announced in the next week.

The England under-19 side, in contrast, were expected to retain most of their World Cup squad for the tour.

"England is going to be a tough tour. They've got 14 of their 15 who went to the World Cup and they've been together for a longer period."

With the rise of T20 cricket and general commercialisation of the game, Mahatlane said it was important to place an emphasis on the longer format cricket.

"One of the biggest things is getting the guys out into the middle and understanding what three-day cricket is about.

"A lot of them have grown up on one-day cricket and T20. The first two games in England - starting in a month - are four-day games. It's important for these youngsters to understand how important it is to bat for a long period of time.

"As a bowler it's not about bowling your 10 overs and then you're off, you get an opportunity to bowl quite a number of spells."

Makhanya as one of the senior players, could be in the running for the captaincy. The 18-year-old said the World Cup experience had provided valuable lessons.

"Having played in the World Cup, it's made it easier for me to handle different situations," said Makhanya.

"With the World Cup pressure, it's taught me that most challenges are a lot smaller compared to what I went through there."

Considered an allrounder, Makhanya was keen to prove he could perform with both bat and ball.

"I'm a batting allrounder, but it hasn't been going too well with the bat.

"I work hard at both aspects so it makes it easier to get selected. It's always good to be a 3D player.

"I'm a medium-pacer that bowls 'dibbly-dobblies'. I've got good variations and I keep it wicket to wicket, that's what works for me. I just try and build pressure with dot balls." - Sapa