Talent scouts will be on the prowl from 17-21 December when the cream of South Africa’s young cricketers will be showcasing their abilities at the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Under-19 Cricket Week in Bloemfontein.
“Coca-Cola is one of Cricket’s oldest supporters through which we endorse the message to the youth to perform at their best and display happy energy and develop a healthy lifestyle. In years to come we want all the boys that participate in the week to remember Coca-Cola as the platform where their future careers were launched, whether in cricket or whatever else he chooses,” said Bradford Ross, Senior Brand Manager, Coca-Cola.
The Under-19 Cricket Week is the flagship of Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) development programme, and most members of the current Proteas squad have gone through at least one Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week.
One of those is Wayne Parnell, who has been appointed the first ever Ambassador of the Under19 Week. Parnell was only 15 when he started playing for the South Africa Under19 team. He played in the Under19 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2006, and two years later, he captained the South African team to the final of the Under19 World Cup in Malaysia. He was top wicket taker at the tournament, with an impressive 18 wickets, and also scored valuable runs for his side.
Parnell’s exceptional performance at the Under-19 World Cup did not go unnoticed, and in January 2009 he made his debut for South Africa against Australia in Perth. Later that year, he became the youngest player to be awarded a CSA contract.
“I was lucky enough to play in three Under-19 Weeks,” said Parnell. “As a result I have made friends all over South Africa. Wherever I go, I meet guys who played with me or against me. I might not remember them but it definitely forms a bond.”
Parnell said one of the things he had learnt from the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week was that winning was not everything.
“We learnt that it was not about winning at any cost – it was about having the will to win.
“This week teach you lessons about life and about setting goals and working towards them.”
This year’s Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week will be played in Bloemfontein from Friday December 17 to Tuesday December 21 at Grey College. The first two days will be time cricket, day 3 and 4 will be based on a Pro 20 format with the final two days competed on a limited overs basis. There will be no ultimate winner as the week is based on players performance as opposed to winning. The decision to run the tournament in this way was based on the selectors wanting to see the players performing at their best and how they play in different forms of the game rather than putting pressure on them to win at all cost.
If history repeats itself, a future Proteas captain could be identified during the week. The captains of the last two Under19 teams selected in Bloemfontein – Hansie Cronje and Johan Botha both went on to captain the national team.
One young cricketer hoping to make a name for himself at the Under19 Week is Southern Gauteng captain Keaton Jennings, son of former national coach Ray Jennings.
“I think the Khaya Majola Week is a wonderful opportunity to showcase what you can do,” he said. “There will be talent scouts there, and it is an opportunity to try to get into a provincial or a franchise team.”
But Jennings – who described himself as a batting allrounder – had his feet firmly on the ground.
“I have just finished matric, and I will be studying for a BCom (Accounting),” he said. “It’s important to have plans outside cricket – cricket is a volatile game, and an injury can finish your career in an instant.
“So while I am hoping to be able to play cricket professionally, I definitely will keep on studying.”
A South African Under 19 and a South African Colts team will be selected at the end of the week. The South Africa Under19 team will play the Knights at Outsurance Park on Wednesday December 22, while the Colts will play a Free State Invitation XI at Grey College.
Ends:
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Tulisiwe Mkatshwa
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Coca-Cola South Africa
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On behalf of Coca-Cola
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Pearl Ndlazi
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