Windhoek
Namibia’s U19 cricket national team will receive specialized and professional training ahead of their participation at the U19 50-over World Cup in Bangladesh next year.
A four-day training camp, under the stewardship of former South African professional Pierre de Bruyn, aims to improve the level of the current 25-member cricket squad and afford the selectors the opportunity to have a clear indication of the 15 juniors they will take to the global showpiece next January.
The training camp is slated to get underway in earnest on Friday in Windhoek.
De Bruyn began his career at Northern Transvaal and also played for Easterns under the former provincial system.
Following the introduction of professional franchises, he was contracted to the Nashua Titans for a number of years and finished his career in Durban with the Nashua Dolphins. He was also at the National Academy and represented South Africa at the Hong Kong Sixes.
The former world-class cricketer is currently the head coach at Tuks Cricket, the senior team of the University of Pretoria. He has developed the rare ability of being able to bat, bowl and keep wicket in the same match in the 20Twenty format.
The mental and physical sessions top the list and will cover aspects such as fitness, batting, bowling technique and fielding.
On August 25 and 26t, Cricket Namibia intends to maximize De Bruyn’s knowledge and expertise and plans to incorporate both the U15 and U17 squads into the training programme to make sure that the maximum number of cricketers get the required exposure.
Furthermore, the camp will prepare players for the Momentum Week slated for August 26.
The tourney sees the U19 squads of Windhoek High School, Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool, Windhoek Gymnasium, Pro-Ed, Walvis Bay Private School and a ‘Platteland’ invitational team go head-to-head at the Wanderers Sports Club in Windhoek.