JOHANNESBURG: The Veterans Cricket Association of South Africa (VCASA) 16-man squad has arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka ahead of the fourth International Masters Cricket Over-50s World Cup, set to take place between 09 – 23 February.
South Africa is in Pool B and will faceup against West Indies, Australia, Wales, India, Pakistan and Canada. Pool A includes England, UAE, USA, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Namibia and hosts, Sri Lanka.
Leading the SA squad is Mario Solomons from Western Province whilst Craig Lyons from the Lions, takes on the role of vice-captain.
Solomons, Lyons, and Goolam Taliep return from the squad that reached the final at home in Cape Town in 2023, adding experience and depth to the team.
South Africa has already found success in the Veterans Cricket scene, winning the Over-40s World Cup last year on home soil. The Over-50s team is determined to build on that triumph and their 2023 silver medal to add another trophy to the country’s growing list of achievements in Masters Cricket.
VCASA Chairperson, Roger Moult, shared his sentiments ahead of the team’s World Cup campaign;
“We are incredibly proud to see our squad representing South Africa on the global stage.
“The Over-50s World Cup is proof to the passion and longevity of the game, and our team is ready to embrace the challenge.
“With a strong mix of experience and skill, we are confident that the players will give their all and make the country proud. We look forward to an exciting tournament and the opportunity to showcase the spirit of South African cricket,” said Moult.
SA Squad:
Mario Solomons (Captain, WP),Craig Lyons (Vice-Captain, Lions), Deon Kruis (Eastern Province), Tyron Henderson (Border), Russell Krug (Border), Andrew Emslie (Border), Russell Bennett (Border), Yahya Jiwa (Titans), Con Purchase (Titans), Wayne Tharratt (Western Province), Goolam Taliep (Western Province), Munier Holiday (Western Province), Dave Bakker (Boland), Wiaan Smit (Boland), Riaan Van de Rheede (Boland), Andre Steyn (Eastern Storm), and Hennie Fourie (Manager, Boland).
SA Fixtures:
February 9 – vs West Indies (St Thomas’s Grounds, Mt Lavinia)
February 12 – vs Australia (Burgher Recreation Club)
February 13 – vs Wales (Mercantile Cricket Association Grounds)
February 15 – vs India (DS Senanayake College)
February 17 – vs Pakistan (Puijitha Uduwana Sports Academy Grounds)
February 18 – vs Canada (Colombo Cricket Club)
The top two teams in their pool will progress to the semi-finals on February 20, followed by the final at the R Premadasa Stadium on February 23.
Source: cricket.co.za
Albie Morkel: A talented South African all-rounder, Albie Morkel was often likened to Lance Klusener. Born to a cricketer father, it came as no surprise when he chose the game as a career option. However, he never had much of international success and now coaches the Namibian national cricket team.
Blood Taker
The first cricket World Cup was held in 1975, participated in by the men’s teams. The title was won by the West Indies, with Australia placing second.
napoleonic haze
Sunil Gavaskar was out off the first ball of a Test match thrice in his career – Sunil Gavaskar was the first batsman to reach 10,000 Test runs and he ended his career scoring 34 Test centuries. But did you know he was out three times off the first ball of a Test? The bowlers to dismiss him were: Geoff Arnold (Edgbaston, 1974), Malcolm Marshall (Kolkata, 1984) and Imran Khan (Jaipur, 1987).