Gelvandale boys off to T20 event

Gelvandale Cricket Club’s U13 side left for Worcester at the weekend, where they will contest the Freedom Pitsa T20 tournament from today until Wednesday.

The tournament has attracted selectors who will pick a South African U13 side to tour India next year. Team manager Taryn Bouah said the team was well prepared. “With the amount of coaching and preparation that has gone into readying the boys for the T20 tournament, the overall result will be of a good nature,” she said. “They do have a very good coach as well.” The tournament will feature big cricket clubs from around the country, including Western Province Cricket Club, St Augustine’s, Bluebells and various teams from the Boland region.

In last year’s tournament, the Gelvandale U13s ended their campaign with a fifth-place finish, beating Western Province in a tense encounter. “We feel more prepared for this year’s tournament, comparing the sides. I think this year’s side is more balanced than last year’s,” coach Robin du Plessis said. “We are humble with our expectations, considering the quality of competition. It may be all about fun, but I know the boys won’t disappoint with the result, on and off the field.” Some key members of the side are likely to be Ashley Murphy (Alexander Road); Ethan Howard (Charlo Primary); and Dayalin Whitebooi (Machui Primary). Also making his second appearance in the team is Xylon Coombs, who also made the EP U11 side. Du Plessis had these words of encouragement for the players: “Remember . . . when you are out there you are playing for the man next to you – not me, not your parents, but for yourselves.”