Why 2-day cricket games are good for schoolboys

 

The Fasken St David’s Time Cricket Festival is back after a two-year Covid-induced break, and it has been increased to 12 teams – 11 schools and a Central Gauteng Lions Invitation XI.

The idea was the brainchild of Dave Nosworthy, director of cricket at St David’s and it started off with six teams, playing two two-day matches each. There has been such a demand to play in it that they have increased the numbers and additional fields at St Stithians are being used this year.

The games take place on September 1 and 2; and September 3 and 4.

You have to ask, given the popularity of the shorter formats of the game, and the convenience that goes with getting them over and done with quickly, why it’s wise to have schoolboy games that last two whole days, and why so many schools are eager to play in them?

There are all sorts of good reasons for exposing schoolboy cricketers to declaration cricket, and to get them playing longer forms of the game, says Nosworthy.

“The batsmen,” he says, “need to learn to spend more time at the crease, without the limited-overs restraints. The bowlers need to be able to bowl longer spells, and be brought back later on. The players need to get a feel for proper cricket, with matches that go on, day after day.”

Limited-overs cricket has become quite formulaic, Nosworthy says. You do certain things at certain stages of the game and there is no room for innovation, and no requirement to apply cricket thinking to unfolding situations on the field.

“It has shown in the performance of our U19 teams in international ‘Youth Tests’ that the players lack the skills required in the longer game,” he said.

“Exposure to time cricket is important to let young players experience what it’s like to bat all day or being on your feet two whole days,’ he said.

“Captains must learn that sometimes you have to be prepared to lose in order to win. They need to be patient, to be brave and to set targets that give them a chance of winning. Those lessons that can’t be taught in limited-overs cricket.”

The 12 captains and 150 odd players that will be at St David’s next week are entering the unknown. It’s going to be a great learning experience for them, and a lot of fun – guaranteed.

Fixtures

1^st game September 1 and 2 - Jeppe vs Waterkloof (Baytop Oval, St Stithians), St David’s vs Paul Roos (La Valle Oval, St David’s), Maritzburg College vs KES (Mc Gregor Oval, St David’s), St Stithians vs Lions XI (Dlamini Oval, St Stithians), St Johns vs Clifton (Gier Oval, St David’s), St Andrew’s vs Noordheuwel (La Rosey Oval, St David’s).

2nd game September 3 and 4 - KES vs St Andrews (Baytop Oval, St Stithians), St David’s vs Clifton (La Valle Oval, St David’s), St Stithians vs Maritzburg College (Dlamini Oval, St Stithians), Noordheuwel vs Lions XI (Gier Oval, St David’s), St Johns vs Waterkloof (Mc Gregor Oval, St David’s), Jeppe vs Paul Roos (La Rosey Oval, St David’s).