SA Cricket moving forward
21 July 2008
South Africa started the test match series against England with a draw. A draw that I believe has left SA with the momentum going into the second test at Leeds. Why? After 3 days SA was well and truly out of the game with England the only team that could win the test. For SA to fight back from that position would have left them feeling that they have the edge going into the second test.
The most rewarding aspect was the draw was achieved through the fact that players like Neil Mckenzie, Hashim Amla and Ashwell Prince were instrumental in the fight back. Gone are the days that our hopes were pinned on only a few. And it should come as no surprise that someone like Neil has come back the way he has. Australia has long realised that cricketers are at their best in their 30’s and it is great to see that SA cricket is slowly but surely seeing the benefit of a more mature individual. So ‘Maccie’ keep scoring those runs.
To me the key aspect to sustaining a world class national team will be to impliment the same strategy in our domestic teams. We need mature strong senior players that can help breed young blood. It is key that the standard is kept as high a possible at all times, hopefully with games where national players are involved. Why? Because we want to be the best and if we want to to be the best the prosess of creating that world class standard must never stop.
Cheers,
Boeta