Devon Youth Cricket South Africa 20033

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Devon then enjoyed a days rest with a trip to Robben Island to see the famous prison so long the home of Mandela and others until the end of apartheid. On the journey back there was an unseasonable glimpse of a Southern Wright Whale tail- must be global warming!

To Bellville the next day to play Northern Suburbs and a visit from Plympton’s 2002 young Western Province player Will Hantham, on his way to Newlands to bowl at the Pakistan team. In Devon’s 45 overs they made 189-9 with Matt Cooke (Sidmouth) 31 the top score. Northern Suburbs struggled in reply thanks to good bowling from James Fraser (Sandford) 3-28. James Carr (Unitied Services) took a brilliant Jontyesq catch at cover point, which inspired the team. A last wicket partnership, lasting 50 minutes, however almost cost Devon the match but Steve Knight (Plymstock) took the vital wicket to secure a tense 9 run victory. The Northern Suburb’s captain was no less than the young man who had performed at the World Cup opening ceremony- a local celebrity. That evening Devon, like the England Cricket Team, were treated to a trip to the Newlands Rugby Stadium to watch the Super Twelve match between the Stormers and the Sharks. 45,000 people crammed into a concrete caldron. Amazing noise and atmosphere- so intimidating- what was it like when the Boks played The Lions?

There were 25,000 people at Newlands Cricket Ground the next afternoon to watch England play Pakistan- most of them English. Some of the lads sat on the grass in front of the scoreboard and desperately tried to get notice by the TV. A different atmosphere but when the lights came on (not the odd bulb as at Milnerton) and Jimmie Anderson roared in, it was fantastic, electric and the cold (colder than sitting outside the pavilion at Kingsbridge CC on an Autumn afternoon) and harsh Cape Doctor disappeared. 5000 miles from home and sitting 20 feet away are Sandford Cricket Club and other friends appear all around the ground- a Plymouth Argyle Tangerine shirt was even spotted! Good result! The 100 mile an hour Aktar ball, another first and a bonus.

On Sunday with the beautiful dramatic Table Mountain as our backdrop, Devon played WP Under 15’s B at the Green Park Track, just around the corner from our Breakwater Lodge, Waterfront Hotel. The heat, the late night and bugs began to take their toll and the only fit eleven take the field. Continued







			Back Devon then enjoyed a days rest with a trip to Robben Island to see the famous prison so long the home of Mandela and others until the end of apartheid. On the journey back there was an unseasonable glimpse of a Southern Wright Whale tail- must be global warming! To Bellville the next day to play Northern Suburbs and a visit from Plympton’s 2002 young Western Province player Will Hantham, on his way to Newlands to bowl at the Pakistan team. In Devon’s 45 overs they made 189-9 with Matt Cooke (Sidmouth) 31 the top score. Northern Suburbs struggled in reply thanks to good bowling from James Fraser (Sandford) 3-28. James Carr (Unitied Services) took a brilliant Jontyesq catch at cover point, which inspired the team. A last wicket partnership, lasting 50 minutes, however almost cost Devon the match but Steve Knight (Plymstock) took the vital wicket to secure a tense 9 run victory. The Northern Suburb’s captain was no less than the young man who had performed at the World Cup opening ceremony- a local celebrity. That evening Devon, like the England Cricket Team, were treated to a trip to the Newlands Rugby Stadium to watch the Super Twelve match between the Stormers and the Sharks. 45,000 people crammed into a concrete caldron. Amazing noise and atmosphere- so intimidating- what was it like when the Boks played The Lions? There were 25,000 people at Newlands Cricket Ground the next afternoon to watch England play Pakistan- most of them English. Some of the lads sat on the grass in front of the scoreboard and desperately tried to get notice by the TV. A different atmosphere but when the lights came on (not the odd bulb as at Milnerton) and Jimmie Anderson roared in, it was fantastic, electric and the cold (colder than sitting outside the pavilion at Kingsbridge CC on an Autumn afternoon) and harsh Cape Doctor disappeared. 5000 miles from home and sitting 20 feet away are Sandford Cricket Club and other friends appear all around the ground- a Plymouth Argyle Tangerine shirt was even spotted! Good result! The 100 mile an hour Aktar ball, another first and a bonus. On Sunday with the beautiful dramatic Table Mountain as our backdrop, Devon played WP Under 15’s B at the Green Park Track, just around the corner from our Breakwater Lodge, Waterfront Hotel. The heat, the late night and bugs began to take their toll and the only fit eleven take the field. Continued