In order to prepare the men’s national cricket team for the upcoming international competitions, Botswana Cricket Association (BCA) will today (Friday 22 April) send a team to Polokwane, South Africa for friendly matches, BCA vice president Sumod Damodar has said.
The team is expected to play friendly matches against the Limpopo Impalas Cricket Club on different occasions between 24 April and 2nd May. Prior to the tour, four members of the team will remain in Polokwane for a two-month training camp with the Limpopo Impalas that will run from 3 May to the 3rd of July.
“The tour to South Africa is basically more preparatory and experience-orientated,” Damodar told this publication in an interview. “This is our efforts to get our team more organized and better prepared for the upcoming regional, continental and international competitions.
“The BCA will continue to seek opportunities to establish platforms for our national teams to gain more match experience against stronger opponents to improve their on-field performances, as well as placements (training camps) of identified players for skills development.”
He added that BCA is solely funding the team’s trip. “All in all the cost of the tour is in excess of P200 000,” he said. “The training camp (for the four players who will remain in Polokwane) will cost us about P220 000. It is expensive but it is an exercise that we decided to engage in to see if we cannot realise proper returns on investment and see better performances and results in the near future.”
The squad that make up the team on the tour includes Karabo Motlhanka (Captain), Reginald Nehonde , Hemal Pragji, Valentine Mbazo, Rod Mbaiwa , Thatayaone Tshose , Phemelo Silas, Dhruv Maisuria, Mmoloki Mooketsi, Katlo Piet. Boteng Maphosa, Boemo Kgosiemang, Boemo Khumalo, Losika Makgale and Joseph Angara (coach). Mbazo, Silas, Piet and Maphosa are expected to remain in Polokwane for the two-month placement programme which includes training, fitness and games.
THE TEAM’S FIXTURES IN AGAINST LIMPOPO IMPALAS
24 April 2022 – 1st 50 Over Match
26 April 2022 – 2nd 50 Over Match
28 April 2022 – 3rd 50 Over Match
29 April 2022 – 2x T20 Matches (Morning & Afternoon)
1st May 2022 – 2x T20 Matches (Morning & Afternoon)
2nd May 2022 – 1x T20 Match
