U19 World Cup | South Africa | Jan-Feb 2024

[ZIMDOGGY]

I remember ten years ago heath Streak has the reality tv show idea to unerath quick bowlers in Zimbabwe. It was during that phase where everything had a reality idea attached to it. At least in Australia, but I assume that trend was international. State cricket contract, nrl contract, poker pro deal, you name it. A tv show was being made for it.

I scoffed at the idea at the time but maybe it has some merit, as its occurred to me large swathes of the population have never held a bat or bowled a ball, so if implemented right, there should be some discoveries out there.

A country that now has grown to 16 million people should have dozens of guys who can bowl 135 and at least 5 more that we know that can clock 140. Thats conservative.
Currently we have 2 in the system that can clock 140 regularly, and one of them sprays them all over the pitch.

[andrea lanzoni]

I remember ten years ago heath Streak has the reality tv show idea to unerath quick bowlers in Zimbabwe. It was during that phase where everything had a reality idea attached to it. At least in Australia, but I assume that trend was international. State cricket contract, nrl contract, poker pro deal, you name it. A tv show was being made for it.

I scoffed at the idea at the time but maybe it has some merit, as its occurred to me large swathes of the population have never held a bat or bowled a ball, so if implemented right, there should be some discoveries out there.

A country that now has grown to 16 million people should have dozens of guys who can bowl 135 and at least 5 more that we know that can clock 140. Thats conservative.
Currently we have 2 in the system that can clock 140 regularly, and one of them sprays them all over the pitch.

Yes Gus, why not organizing fast bowling contests in local high schools?

In my club we have a Bushnel Speed gun, it costs a little more than 100€ and I can assure it is reliable. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=speed+gun&cr ... _sb_noss_1

Figure out kids in high school asked to bowl, say three (hard) balls per capita, and recording their speed.
At the end of the contest, best bowlers be awarded with prizes (better if in cricket kit).

Repeat the contest in other high schools in the same town.
Then invite best bowlers from each school to a final aimed to award the fastest high school student.

Budget of such contests would be insignificant.
Chances are to have a few hundreds boys willing to try themselves.
Many of them could become fond of cricket;

If only a few of them can bowl beyond 70-75mph, you have scouted interesting prospects to be finetuned and (hopefully) have professional cricketers in the future.

[secretzimbo]

Batting first today. Going to be very tough. I will be mightily impressed if we get anywhere near 200, which seems unlikely.

[secretzimbo]

Eksteen injured as expected. Shungu is back fit though, will be interesting to see.

Hlabangana also back in

[zimfan1]

The size of some of these South African lads

[secretzimbo]

Our team looks like an u14 squad when lined up alongside them

[sam_ahm]

Lol, wanted to see a bit of MacMillian hoping he will smack a few, instead his middle stump is sent for a walk by Maphaka.

Maphaka is bloody good.

[sam_ahm]

From whatever little I've seen, Ronak Patel looks the best batsman of all.

[sam_ahm]

They just can't play Maphaka

[sam_ahm]

Our team looks like an u14 squad when lined up alongside them

SZ, is Ronak Patel born and brought up in Zimbabwe or is he from India and migrated?