Most of the news understandably revolves around the West Indies practice match, but further afield Gary Kirsten is helping Gulf cricket.

Kirsten makes a difference

Gary Kirsten, a former Protea opening batsmen and World Cup winning coach, has shared some of his knowledge at the G Force Cricket Academy in Dubai. His session with the players earned a prominent report in the local newspaper and also drew praise from Gopal Jasapara, chief coach of the Dubai academy.

‘Kirsten showed why he is a genius and hailed as one of the world’s best coaches,’ said Jasapara. ‘It was not merely teaching the techniques of the game, but his sessions were a lesson on what makes a good cricketer on and off the field.

Three wicketkeepers in South African invitation team

The South African Invitation team will feature no less than three wicket-keepers in their squad for the tour match that will take place in Benoni at Willowmore Park against the West Indies.

Dominic Hendricks, who will captain the South African team is the first of three very exciting wicketkeepers. The other two are Mangaliso Mosehle of the Titans and Clyde Fortuin who was part of U19 team who won the World Cup earlier this year.

All three players will have a crucial role to play in this tour match due to the fact that it does not have first-class status. This means that all the players in the squad of thirteen can take part. This will allow all three an opportunity behind the stumps. You might find though that Mosehle will carry most of the keeping duties with Hendricks and Fortuin opening the batting together. Mosehle is utilised in the lower order most of the time when comes to batting.

Hendricks, Fortuin and Mosehle have all represented South Africa at U19 level on the international stage. Hendricks and Mosehle were part of the teams in 2010 and 2008 respectively. Fortuin was part of the first victorious U19 team who won the world cup earlier this year.

This game gives the players the opportunity to test their skills against a West Indies team who is coming to South Africa to prove a point.

Will the Benoni pitch hold during the three day tour match

The question on everybody’s lips who is involved in this tour match will be, will the Willowmore Park pitch hold during the three day tour match?

The Benoni pitch has proved to be rather problematic in recent years with the bounce of the ball being so uneven. Games have been called off, which in competition cricket means the home side get points deducted. The Titans use the ground as a second home and have lost points due to the ball sometimes not even reaching ankle height and then other balls from a medium pacer hitting batsmen on the arm.

On occasions the pitch has been over-watered and the bowlers were creating dents in the pitch on their run up and follow through.

Hopefully this time around the pitch can hold and the players can express their talent with no interruptions.

Shukri Conrad to coach the South African Invitation team

Shukri Conrad will coach the South African invitational team that will take on the West Indies in a three day tour match starting on Wednesday. Conrad has over a decade of coaching experience in the South African franchise system having led both the Lions and Cape Cobras to provincial glory.

Conrad coached South Africa’s top franchise, the Cape Cobras to three titles in his coaching tenure. He led the team to success in all competitions, the one day cup, the T20 competition and the SuperSport Series. As well as leading the Lions to Standard Bank Cup glory in 2003.

Conrad coached the Cobras from 2005 to 2010 and the Lions from 2003 to 2005

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