It is scorching 42 degrees and shade and water have to be found. After an hour of the Holland innings, Wasim taking his 500 OD wicket, it is decided that we must retreat to the cool of Cape Town and a swim.
One of the highlights of 2002 was the trip to Langa and the Township. The Cricket club another refurbished for the World Cup, was much improved and against a modest side Devon made hay scoring 282-5 off 45 overs. Michael Wigley (Bideford) 32 and James Fraser (Sandford) 25 put on 74 for the opening partnership, Jack Horton (Plymstock) 24 and Matt Cooke (Sidmouth) 74, 49 for the 3rd wicket, Matt Cooke and Tim Piper (Clyst Hydon) 68 not out, 108 for the 5th wicket. The Langa Development XI were never really in the chase and were bowled out for 142 with Michael Wigley taking 3-12.
Unlike last year we were not inundated with youngsters who ran off with our kit. Lots of youngsters did arrive after school and Devon players joined them in games of football and cricket. Lundi, the young Western Province player who played at Sidmouth in 2002 also visited us.
The trip into the Township was different- more poignant- the smell of the open sewers, dirt and filth far more noticeable than before because of the heat- the squalor and poverty, roadside butcheries with the meat being cooked on the other side of the road, the cardboard, timber, tarpaulins shanties, built on reclaimed sewers, some with no electricity and none with toilets or running water, very humbling.
.jpg)