SA cricket must raise its game if it wants support from the next generation

In my youth, earlier than I grew to become obsessive about athletics, all my focus as a sports activities fan was directed in direction of cricket. There’s a purpose for this. Proteas quick bowler Fanie de Villiers married into our household and I began watching video games as a child as a result of he was enjoying. At one level, there have been collectors’ books launched with cash representing all the gamers in the nationwide squad. I collected all of them and it grew to become my most prized possession. I bear in mind crying after I misplaced the Andrew Hudson coin. ALSO READ: Bavuma laments after Proteas promote themselves brief As I bought older, my…

In my youth, earlier than I grew to become obsessive about athletics, all my focus as a sports activities fan was directed in direction of cricket.

There’s a purpose for this. Proteas quick bowler Fanie de Villiers married into our household and I began watching video games as a child as a result of he was enjoying.

At one level, there have been collectors’ books launched with cash representing all the gamers in the nationwide squad. I collected all of them and it grew to become my most prized possession. I bear in mind crying after I misplaced the Andrew Hudson coin.

ALSO READ: Bavuma laments after Proteas promote themselves brief

As I bought older, my love for the sport slowly pale and my consideration as a sports activities fan was directed elsewhere, however as a result of it was the first sport I loved watching, I’ve all the time had a tender spot for cricket.

And after I first joined The Citizen’s employees earlier in my profession, with the athletics beat already taken, I used to be very happy to safe the function of cricket author.

For just a few years, I travelled round the nation touring with the nationwide crew, watched extra matches than I can recall and spent numerous hours at the nets, chatting to colleagues throughout Proteas coaching classes.

Poor state

So as a lot as I’m not the world’s largest cricket fan, and my curiosity in athletics has absorbed virtually all my consideration lately, it’s most likely nonetheless my second favorite sport.

It is, subsequently, extraordinarily disconcerting that the sport appears to be in such a poor state. From the struggling home game to the performances of the nationwide crew, cricket has develop into persistently disappointing.

It’s not simply the most up-to-date performances of the Proteas which can have followers shaking their heads. Their failure to win a World Cup is probably the largest blemish in the annals of South African sport.

As somebody who acquired a lot pleasure from watching the SA crew holding their very own towards the finest sides in the world, it is unhappy that the inconsistency and lack of massive match temperament has overshadowed the outcomes achieved when the gamers do hit their straps.

For any sport to succeed when it comes to attracting consideration from the public, consistency and BMT are essential.

There are children throughout the nation who could be eager to look at cricket, however the next generation is being chased away. And till they raise the commonplace in any respect ranges of the game, fewer and fewer younger South Africans are going to develop into captivated with the sport.

That’s even sadder than dropping an Andrew Hudson coin.