The Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week, which takes place from 14-21 December in Cape Town, is without a doubt a major stepping stone for teenagers who want to play professional cricket and ultimately represent the national cricket team, the Proteas.
The 2010 Player of the Tournament, Quinton de Kock, has already made his franchise debut for the Highveld Lions. De Kock scored 83 runs in his first match against the Nashua Titans in the 1-Day Cup on the 2nd November 2011.
Even players who represent other countries like Kevin Pietersen, Craig Kieswetter (both England) and Grant Elliot (New Zealand) took their first step to professional cricket at the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week.
This year's 69th edition of the tournament will also likely unearth future international stars. The Mother City last hosted the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week in 2002. It was during this tournament that current Proteas players, AB de Villiers and Vernon Philander played. Both were selected to represent the South African Schools' side at the conclusion of that year's tournament. Philander recently made his test debut in the series against Australia and was also named the Man of the Series.
Even players who represent other countries like Kevin Pietersen, Craig Kieswetter (both England) and Grant Elliot (New Zealand) took their first step to professional cricket at the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week.
This year's 69th edition of the tournament will also likely unearth future international stars. The Mother City last hosted the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week in 2002. It was during this tournament that current Proteas players, AB de Villiers and Vernon Philander played. Both were selected to represent the South African Schools' side at the conclusion of that year's tournament. Philander recently made his test debut in the series against Australia and was also named the Man of the Series.
Pace bowler, Lizaad Williams of Boland, is one of the 2010 players who will be in action again this year. In addition there will be players who were part of the South African Under-19 Touring Party which clashed with England in a limited overs series earlier this year. These players include Regardt Verster (Northerns), Diego Rosier (Griqualand West), Prenelan Subrayen (KwaZulu-Natal), Shaylen Pillay (Gauteng), Calvin Savage (KwaZulu-Natal Inland) and two seam bowlers, Corné Dry (Free State) and Rabian Engelbrecht (Boland).
Corné Dry, who will captain Free State, will be competing in his third Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week.
Coca-Cola has been sponsoring the U-19 age group since 1978. “We are proud of our history with the tournament,” said Coca-Cola South Africa’s Senior Communications Manager Anthony Garstang. “Coca-Cola has been instrumental in helping South African cricket become one of the most revered cricket playing nations in the world, but no team can be successful at the elite level if there is not a strong grass roots structure to identify players.”
Garstang explains further: “One of the key reasons for our continued support of the game at grass roots is to promote the importance of maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle among the youth. This forms a big part of our Live for a Difference sustainability strategy.”
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