Wiaan Mulder has been named in the Men’s National Academy squad for 2017.
The former SA Under 19 player had a year to remember in 2016 as he made his first-class debut for the Lions against the Cape Cobras in October. He has proven his ability with both bat and ball at first-class level for the Lions. Mulder boasts best bowling figures of 7-25 at an average of just 16.75. Meanwhile, the right-handed batsman also has a top-score of 104 and an average of 34.42.
His selection into National Academy squad will come as a boost for the youngster, who, in spite of his great start to his domestic career and winning SA U19 Player Of the Year, was overlooked for the South Africa ‘A’ squad to tour England in May.
The success of National Academy products such as Jason Smith, who was named in the South Africa ‘A’ squad, and Andile Phehlukwayo, who has gone on to make his Proteas debut in ODIs, is proof enough that the CSA High-Performance programme is worthwhile.
‘The National Academy Programme forms a very strategic part of our developmental pipeline,’ commented CSA General Manager: Cricket, Corrie van Zyl.
Van Zyl went on to say that the academy strives to ready its members for the rigours of the professional game.
‘The programme has as its aim to prepare young players for the demands of professional cricket. These selected players that are carefully identified, include previous graduates of the SA U19 programme, performing senior provincial and emerging franchise players,’ he added.
The squad also includes Leus du Plooy and Bjorn Fortuin, both who have represented their respective franchises at senior level.
Malibongwe Maketa has been named as head coach of the men’s squad. The Academy will take place until the end of July, after which the SA Emerging Squad will embark on a tour of Zimbabwe, where they are scheduled to play two four-day games followed by three unofficial ODIs.
CSA also named a Women’s Academy squad, which will gather for the months of September and October. This will serve as preparation for both Emerging and National squad players in the women’s squad ahead of the ICC Women’s Championship campaign, which takes place in January 2018.
Powerade SA National Academy Men’s Squad: Karabo Mogotsi (Gauteng), Wihan Lubbe (North West), Yaseen Vallie (Gauteng), Tony de Zorzi (Northerns), Janneman Malan (North West), Senuran Muthusamy (KZN), Isaac Digale (North West), Michael Cohen (WP), Lwandiswa Zuma (Free State), Tladi Bokako (EP), Okuhle Cele (KZN), Migael Pretorius (Northerns), Ndumiso Mvelase (Gauteng), Kyle Simmonds (Boland), Thomas Kaber (Northerns), Kyle Verrynne (WP), Matthew Christensen (EP), Wiaan Mulder (Gauteng)
Powerade SA National Academy Women’s Squad: Lerato Langa (Gauteng), Robyn Appels (WP), Izelle Cilliers (Free State), Sinalo Jafta (North West), Tumi Sekhukhune (Easterns), Elriessa Theunissen (North West), Nkuli Thabethe (Gauteng), Anneke Bosch (North West), Robyn Searle (Gauteng), Evodia Yekile (North West), Stacey Lackay (Boland), Zizipho Mdebuka (WP), Zintle Mali (Border), Odine Kirsten (Northerns)
