Cricket South Africa add another Proteas tour to an already overloaded fixture list for the the upcoming 2016-17 cricket season.
Cricket South Africa announced today that four additional fixtures have been added to an already jam-packed Proteas season with the team set to take on the KFC Mini-Cricket kids in the fourth instalment of the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour. The Tour will see the Proteas challenging the KFC Mini-Cricket kids in matches taking place around South Africa between December 2016 and February 2017.
‘This season promises to be one of the busiest and most exciting in recent memory,’ commented CSA chief executive, Haroon Lorgat. ‘The addition of the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour to the already completed matches against New Zealand and Ireland and the forthcoming games against Australia and Sri Lanka means that 2016/17 will be packed with stellar competition and excitement as well as an added element of fun for all,’ he added.
The 2016-2017 KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour will not only see great competition between the two sides but will come with added spice after the announcement that Proteas legends, Graeme Smith, Neil McKenzie and Mfuneko Ngam, will coach the kids. The three ex-Proteas will be hosting training sessions with each of the competing Mini-Cricket teams and will go up against the current Proteas as coaches at each of the four tour games.
Graeme Smith hopes that his previous experience as Proteas captain will help his KFC Mini-Cricket team in their quest to get one-up on the best the country has to offer. ‘I call on all KFC Mini-Cricket kids around South Africa to step up to the crease and ready yourselves to take on your heroes. The Proteas are one of the top limited overs sides in the world but I am confident that my team will be ready for them come game one,’ said Smith.
Proteas coach Russell Domingo added: ‘I speak for the whole Proteas team when I say this tour is one of the highlights of our cricketing calendar. The KFC Mini-Cricket kids gave us a real run last year and we are anticipating a similar test this year. My hope is that we can get off to a fast start, bring the game to the kids and go one better by finishing off with a series win.’
The Proteas side to go up against the KFC Mini-Cricket kids will be unique in that it will be the only squad made up of both Proteas men and women. KFC will run a nationwide competition to select their teams whereby four entering schools will be drawn and will be given the chance to pit their KFC Mini-Cricket teams against the mighty Proteas.
Mike Middleton, Chief Marketing Officer for KFC South Africa commented: ‘KFC Mini-Cricket is all inclusive which is why we are honoured to be taking on the only Proteas team made-up of both men and women. KFC is a proud supporter of cricket in South Africa and we remain fully committed to giving kids, coaches and parents the opportunity to develop and upskill themselves through the KFC Mini-Cricket programme and the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour.’
