Saturday, October 7, 2017

Mthatha Hosts Fast Bowler Search



Audi, CSA and Ngam scout local bowling talent

5 October 2017. Durban.  The search for South Africa’s next great fast bowler continued this week when the Audi Q5 Fast Track visited Mthatha.  The initiative, which is led by Audi, Cricket South Africa (CSA) and former Proteas quick and development guru, Mfuneko Ngam, is the first designed to utilise state-of-the-art technology to unearth the hidden gems of South African fast blowing.  It is currently taking place around the country and on Wednesday identified a number of talented local young bowlers who will now be given the chance to prove themselves in front of CSA’s development structures. 

Lead talent scout Mfuneko Ngam, commented, “Our first event in Gauteng was a resounding success and today was no different.  I have been very impressed by the level of talent we have uncovered so far.  We are very excited at the prospect of one of these young bowlers following in the footsteps of the great Proteas bowlers who came before them.”

On the day, local bowlers between the ages of 15 and 18 were given the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of a powerful development team.  Bowlers were given the chance to illustrate their skills in the nets with the most promising selected to have their bowling measured on the Audi Bowling Lab - a set-up which utilises state-of-the-art PitchVision technology to instantly analyse a bowler’s performance by comparing pace, line, length, deviation and bounce to that of a current Proteas bowler.

Ngam and his team, which included CSA representatives and local coaches, utilised the scoring system of the Audi Bowling Lab to select the talented boys and girls who will now be put in front of CSA development structures.  The standout bowlers on the day were Mzani Mbeko, from Mqanduli and Sibabalwe Takatshana, from Mount Frere.

Trevor Hill, Head of Audi South Africa, concluded, “This weekend continued our search for standout fast bowlers and the Eastern Cape did not disappoint.  As Progressive Partner to the Proteas, Audi is proud to be able to take our partnership with CSA to the next level by driving progress in a development space.  The prospect of potentially uncovering the next Ntini or Ngam, together with CSA, is something we are not only excited by but which we are striving towards.”

For more information on the Audi Q5 Fast Track go to https://nowiscalling.co.za/fast-track.
[ENDS]

Picture captions:
1. The winner and runners up at the Audi Q5 Fast Track. Names L - R: Thamsanqa Nomphandela, Mzazi Mbeko, Mfuneko Ngam, Asaphila Jani and Sibabaiwe Taka-Shana
2. Boys winner: Mzazi Mbeko
3. Girls Winner: Sibabaiwe Take-Shana
4. Group picture of all of the boys and girls that took part in the Audi Q5 Fast Track
5. Mfuneko Ngam

Video Clip with an Interview with Mfuneko Ngam:












No comments:

Post a Comment