Wayne Parnell has been unveiled as the first-ever ambassador of the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Under-19 Cricket Week and will make an appearance at the 2010 tournament scheduled from 17 – 21 December at Grey’s College in Bloemfontein, Free State. The week will end with the announcement of the Under 19 national squad which will play the Free State Chevrolet Knights Cricket Team on 22 December at Outsurance Oval in Bloemfontein.
Parnell played in three Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket weeks (he was 15 years old when he first competed) and was in the squad that went to play in the Under – 19 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2006.
Two years later he captained the Under-19 World Cup team that went to Malaysia. There he led by example, taking 18 wickets – the most in the tournament – and scoring useful runs as he led South Africa into the final. His best performance was against Bangladesh in the quarter final, where he took six wickets for eight runs, after scoring 57.
Parnell’s exceptional performance at the World Cup caught the eye of the selectors and he was sent on the Emerging Players’ tour of Australia before being called up to the national side in 2009. He became the youngest player to be awarded a national contract.
Parnell said he was grateful to be honoured and paid tribute to the CSA cricket pipeline, and the support structures that are in place for budding cricketers.
“If you look at all of the names that have come through the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week you can see for yourself what an invaluable platform it is for aspiring cricketers. With over ninety percent of the current Proteas having played in one of the weeks it is a great stepping stone for a career in professional cricket.
“I was fortunate enough to play for the SA Schools XI for three years in a row as well as in two World Cups and I would never have gotten to where I am today if it were for the support structures in place,” said Parnell.
Gerald Majola, CSA CEO, said: “Wayne has successfully come through the entire CSA pipeline from grassroots to the Proteas’ and it is most fitting that he now plays this meaningful role for one of CSA’s most important tournaments, the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week.”
“This is the tournament where promising young junior players get the chance to move on to the senior ranks including professional domestic and international cricket.
“It is vital that CSA does not lose this talent after players leave school, and Wayne is going to help us to do this by his achievements and being an example of the rewards that await dedicated and talented young players.”
There will be 16 teams competing in Bloemfontein. The last time it was held in this city was 2000. Interestingly, the previous times the tournament was held in Bloemfontein both Johan Botha and Hansie Cronje were named captains – time will tell whether history will be repeated.
“Coca-Cola as an iconic brand prides itself in developing young talent and shaping future stars, while promoting a healthy and happy lifestyle. We are continuously encouraged by CSA’s objectives of the TOMORROW campaign as it sits on the helm of Coke’s commitment to the South African youth, to build and nurture our grassroots programs”, said Coke Brand Manager, Bradford Ross.
“We value the chance to get involved with a project which is in line with our vision as an organization and Wayne Parnell is fitting of this accolade”, continued Ross.
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