A day after the junior Proteas were knocked out of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, coach Lawrence Mahatlane sat down with City Press and said that he would take the disappointment of the nation “on the chin”.
“These are the kids that will be household names in our cricket. From my side I’ll take it on the chin but for the players I think it’s important to understand that they are young kids who are learning the game and haven’t been exposed to such pressures before and it’s important that we support them in their growth,” Mahatlane said.
They lost by 104 runs and after the first 10 overs never really looked to get close to the 262 set by the Young Tigers in the first innings.The reason they lost so heavily to Afghanistan was again, their weakness against spin. “We always talk about our batters, but I think we need to work hard on improving our quality of spin so that out batters get exposed to that kind of pressure.”
Reflecting on the teams he has coached and the group of players he has worked with, Mahatlane said this group was just as good as any. Asked if South Africa was seeing a crisis of young players, “I think it’s exciting times,” Mahatlane said with verve.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WATCH: How SA screens travellers for coronavirusAll passengers arriving at OR Tambo International airport are being screened, but the focus is on high-risk flights.
Read more »
Why East Africa’s devastating locust outbreak is unlikely to hit SAAgricultural Research Council says the country is prepared for any spread of the swarms
Read more »
PETER ATTARD MONTALTO: What counts for SA investment is not numbers but the X factorThe answer lies in stoking uncontrolled optimism, but in reality there is no hubbub of excitement about SA
Read more »
Mondli Makhanya: The day SA changed foreverThe opening of Parliament on February 2 1990 set off a momentous journey to a free and just society we can all aspire to, writes Mondli Makhanya.
Read more »