The Sunfoil Series started on Wednesday. South African cricket’s premier first class competition, from where future Test hopefuls emerge.
A host of young players feature for various franchises this season, indicating perhaps a generational change on the domestic circuit.
The Highveld Lions, who started the competition at the Wanderers against the Cape Cobras on Wednesday, have had 18-year-old Wiaan Mulder turning up to training still in his school uniform. Mulder is widely viewed as one of the country’s brightest prospects, and is balancing cricket with studying for matric. He is making his first class debut and had a superb first day.
Though Mulder didn’t expect to play too much this season, the call up to the national team for Dwaine Pretorius has ensured an earlier than anticipated first class debut for the St Stithians pupil.
The Lions team is a young one, said coach Geoffrey Toyana, but he is not going to use that inexperience as an excuse this season. He insists the players are ready and able to win trophies this season.
Over in the Cobras side 21-year-olds Zubayr Hamza and Jason Smith featured.
Hamza is very highly regarded in the Western Cape, and has made a ton of runs at the semi-professional grade. He averages 56.85 at that level, though on Wednesday he played nervously as part of a shocking batting performance by the Cobras.
Smith is an all-rounder who impressed many at the national academy in the winter. He showed some good ability with the bat on Wednesday, but like many of his teammates was also very loose, which ultimately led to his downfall.
With the promotion of 20-year-old Andile Phehlukwayo to the Proteas, this summer may well be the one where the next generation of South African cricketers make an impression.
Which is of course good news for South African cricket. There have been concerns about the quality of domestic cricket in recent seasons, and with the exception of a handful of matches last summer, those concerns were warranted.
That drop in standard goes hand-in-hand with the quality of players being produced in the provinces. Often players were brought into the franchise set up when they were too young.
It will be hoped that the new breed of young player coming through the system this summer will ensure the standards are lifted.
The Proteas have a tough and lengthy schedule over the next 18 months and player depth will almost certainly be tested.
For the likes of Mulder, Hamza and Smith an international call-up may be too early, but their presence in the domestic game is crucial and the standards they set will keep the local game healthy.
The Star