Inland’s Jones ready to step up at U19 World Cup:
Durban – Cricket South Africa recently named the squad to take part in the 2018 ICC U19 World Cup in New Zealand, and KZN Inland speedster Fraser Jones was one of two KZN players to make the 15-man squad.
The 17-year-old all-rounder who took part in the recent Youth One-Day International Triangular Series, said that this is a major opportunity for him at the start of what could be a bright career.
“It has been something that I have always been working towards so I’m very excited for the challenges and the experience I will gain from the World Cup,” the Michaelhouse schoolboy said.
“I hope to create a name for myself by having a great tournament and to hopefully finish the tournament with good all-round performances with both bat and ball.”
Jones further stated that the series against the West Indies and the Tri-Series versus Namibia and England assisted a lot in preparing for the World Cup.
“We have had quite a few training camps leading up to the World Cup so I have taken away a lot, mentally and physically.
“Within the team we have a lot of professional help from the staff making sure we are both mentally and physically prepared.
“Winning the last Tri-series against England and Namibia was a wonderful experience.
“Taking away a winning culture is something that I see as very important leading up to the World Cup,” he commented.
However, Fraser admitted that there was still a lot of work to do in preparation for the biggest tournament of his career to date.
“I need to touch on a few bowling aspects of my game, to make sure I am fully prepared for the World Cup,” Jones said.
He also attributed all his achievements to his father, stating that he has always been his number one fan.
According to Jones, getting his first cap for SA U19 against the West Indies in June was the most memorable moment of his cricket career.
Chief Executive Officer of KZN Cricket Heinrich Strydom is excited that the union is able to produce national representatives and looks forward to seeing how they contribute at the global showpiece in 2018.
“We are incredibly proud of the contribution we make to cricket in South African and especially the role we play in developing the next generation of Protea players,” said Strydom.
Amateur Manager of KZN Inland Jason Sathiaseelan is proud of what the young man has achieved and is encouraged by how much his game continues to improve.
“Fraser has dominated schools cricket in the Inland area and he has shown how far his game has come.
“He is bowling quick and his batting is very consistent.
“KZN Inland is looking forward to have him play at the higher level and I believe he is going to be a valuable asset not only go KZN but to South Africa as well.
“We wish Fraser every success at the World Cup and his future in cricket,” Sathiaseelan said.
The tournament is set to take place from 13 January to 03 February 2018.
Van Jaarsveld blow for Dolphins ahead of PE trip:
Durban – The Hollywoodbets Dolphins will begin 2018 without star batsman Vaughn van Jaarsveld who dislocated his finger at training on Wednesday and will miss their Momentum One Day Cup clash with the Warriors in Port Elizabeth on Friday.
As with all injuries, Van Jaarsveld’s absence from the squad will give another player the opportunity to make a statement as the Dolphins start 2018 with a tricky trip to the Eastern Cape.
The Dolphins won their opening game of the Momentum One Day Cup against the WSB Cape Cobras before losing a final ball thriller to the bizhub Highveld Lions in Potchefstroom before the new years’ break.
“As much as the loss to the Lions hurt us, we were buoyed by the fact that we played good cricket and that if teams are going to beat us then they are going to have to beat us off the last ball,” coach Grant Morgan commented.
With Van Jaarsveld out and the side’s leading wicket taker Mthokozisi Shezi in the grips of exams, the Dolphins will have a handful of players that will be looking to make an impact.
“Luckily we have got excellent cricketers who can cover for these guys with Sarel Erwee and Imran Tahir returning to the side in their places.
“Everyone is in form at the moment, even the guys coming into the side have performed this season for us and in our game in Potch we might have been criticised for getting out in the thirties but I didn’t see too many guys throwing their wickets away.
“I am very excited about our batting unit and it’s good to have the whole squad involved so we can sit with the selection headaches at a later stage,” Morgan added.
The Warriors were losing finalists in the 50 over competition last season and have become a side that seem to have the rub over the Durban men, a situation that Morgan is determined to turn around.
“We have a number of different ways that we can approach the game with a four seamer, three spinner split – this means that we bat down to number nine. We have leg spin, off spin and left-arm spin along with left and right arm seam.
“They are a good side with some great players, but I feel that if we play to our best potential we should have it over them.
“We’ve identified that the Warriors are the team that have spoiled our party in the past.
“They’ve thrown us out of our play-off games previously and we feel that this needs to change.
“We’ve learnt some hard lessons from St George’s Park and haven’t played very well there previously so we want to change that,” added Morgan doggedly.
Despite his wife Pippa expecting the birth of their child, Dane Vilas has been included in the squad for the trip to Port Elizabeth.
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins have also included young speedster Okuhle Cele in their squad for this Friday’s game. The young quick has recently returned from a long injury lay-off.
HOLLYWOODBETS DOLPHINS SQUAD:
Sarel Erwee, Senuran Muthusamy, Khaya Zondo, Cody Chetty, Sibonelo Makhanya, Calvin Savage, Robert Frylinck, Imran Tahir, Athi Maposa, Prenelan Subrayen, Okuhle Cele, Morne Van Wyk, Dane Vilas.
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