THIS is a tough assignment but also a highlight in the career of the first boys team cricketers of Pearson High in Gqeberha.
Pearson will be in action in the national finals of the inaugural Schools SA20 Tournament being played from today till Saturday on the Tuks fields in Pretoria.
“It is such a privilege to be at a tournament like this and being able to go out there and showcase our talent,” the Pearson captain, Cayden Wilson, said. “We are a young side and will definitely look to learn as much as possible but also enjoy the moment.”
Wilson acknowledges that the matches will be tough encounters.
“All the top schools from around the country are here, but we will give it our all,” the all-rounder promised.
Pearson recently lost to Bishops and faces this classy outfit in their first match at the tournament.
Wilson is enjoying a terrific season with the bat and ball which has earned him a place in the South African Colts side.
He will be a key player for Pearson, but as captain he also hopes to inspire the younger members of the side to achieve bigger things.
“I really enjoy the captaincy, the fact that it forces me to keep thinking about the game,” Wilson explained.
He sees himself as an aggressive captain. “I don’t like leaking runs in the field and my field placings are quite attacking when the match situation allows for it.”
SA20, in collaboration with Cricket South Africa (CSA), launched this national competition in September last year to discover and nurture talent in the U19 age group.”
Over 370 boys’ teams and 200 girls’ school teams participated, with over 1000 matches played across the country.”
The final phase of the tournament will feature the regional champions from a highly competitive Phase Two.
It will be the culmination of months of high-quality cricket, which has produced incredible performances.
The eight boys’ teams have been divided into two pools of four teams each.
They will have three matches in their respective pools, with the two top sides in each pool qualifying for the semi-finals.
The finals also serve as a vital platform for skills development, with coaches, the media and scouts eager to spot future stars.
The Pearson squad: Cayden Wilson (k), Matthew Burton, Sulaymaan Gangat, Luke Hector, Jonathan Holmes, Cade Hummel, Aiden Mitchell, Kade Myburgh, Cale Price, Daniel Richie, Jude Septoo, Jean Schultz, Jayden Ward.
Teams & Pools:
POOL A: Northwood School (KwaZulu-Natal), St Andrew’s School Bloemfontein (Central), Hoërskool Garsfontein (Gauteng North), Graeme College (Focus School).
POOL B: Pearson High School (Eastern Cape), Bishops Diocesan College (Western Cape), St David’s Marist Inanda (Gauteng South), CSA Hubs Invitational XI.
Pearson’s Fixtures
Tomorrow: Tuks Oval 09:30: v Bishops (match live op SuperSport 216). Tuks B 14:00: v St David’s Marist Inanda.
Friday: Tuks B 09:30: v CSA Hubs XI. Tuks B & D 14:00: Semi-finals.
Saturday: Tuks Oval 09:00: Finals.
