Mynahs U17, capped by KP, show off their skills

BEFORE departing the Dolphins where he turned out in the latter part of the CSA T20 Challenge, Kevin Pietersen had one more important job to complete — capping the schoolboys selected for the Kingsmead Mynahs U17 side at Kingsmead.

Committed to promoting the game at junior level, Mynahs selects a side every year to play matches against their Inland counterparts, a Mynahs Old Boys Invitational side, a Coastal U17 outfit and a team from the Futura Academy. The players selected are those who missed out at SA Schools level and the fivematch schedule allows them to showcase their skills at a different level.

This year's side was captained by Maritzburg College's Damian Walden and was a decent squad with a balanced look. Also in the team were Haydon Rossouw (Glenwood), Josh Brady (Westville), Mpumelelo Xulu (Northwood), Connor High (Vryheid), Simon Holmes (Clifton), Slater Capel (Northwood), Jordan Edy (Northwood), Muhammad Noorbhai (Clifton), Brandon McCabe (Westville), Matt Crampton (College), Sthembiso Mthembu (Umlazi Comtech), Michael Horan (College) and Carl Jairaj (Westville).

Phillip Lanz from Thomas More College was a selector/coach, assisted by Wayne Scott and fellow selector Geoff Shepstone.

Former Mynahs president Colin Chater managed the side.

Despite rain in the air, the boys completed all five matches with some notable and encouraging performances.

An opening loss to the Mynahs Old Boys by 26 runs in a 20over match played at Berea Rovers was followed by a strong performance against the U17 Inland side at the Oval in Pietermaritzburg.

Coastals U17 came out tops by a mere 15 runs in a match played at Westville Boys' High and the last 50over clash saw the boys return to Rovers where they came out on the right side against Futura.

The final encounter was a time match against Inland at Eston where the Mynahs side saved their best for last with a convincing perform ance that saw them win by 212 runs on the first innings, Horan making the only century of the week.

"It was interesting to see the result of the two matches against Inland. Our boys were convincing in both encounters and this gives a clear indication of the rich talent which needs to be uncovered among our schoolboys," said Chater.

"It's sad to see so many of our cricketers leaving for England and beyond and I don't think those in charge of the game in our country realise what rich crops of players we have and how quickly we are losing them to the benefit of other counties, leagues and countries."

COLIN CHATER Former Mynahs president "I don't think those in charge of the game in SA realise what rich crops of players we have and how quickly we are losing them."

KINGSMEAD MYNAHS U17 RESULTS

• Mynahs Old Boys 140 Mynahs 114 (Holmes 40) Mynahs lost by 26 runs.
  
• Mynahs 173 (Jairaj 37) Inland 106 (Crampton 3/27; Capell 3/16) Mynahs won by 67 runs.
  
• Coastals 169 (Fynn 44) Mynahs 154 Mynahs lost by 15 runs.
  
• Futura 138 (Noorbaai 4/33) Mynahs 140/4 (Holmes 50; Walden 51) Mynahs won by 6 wickets.
  
• Mynahs 311 (Horan 110; Edy 51; Holmes 50; Walden 34) Inland 99 (Crampton 3/19; Mthembu 3/17) Mynahs won by 212 runs on the 1st innings.
  

AWARDS

• Batsman and Player of the Week: Simon Holmes (Clifton)
  
• Best Bowler: Matt Crampton (College)
  
• Best All Rounder: Damian Walden (College)
  
• Scoring 100: Michael Horan (Maritzburg College)