Local cricket team ACDC Express Tuskers are ready for the new season after successful off-season preparations and training camp.
KZN Inland Cricket CEO Jason Sathiaseelan said Tuskers management are happy that all the preparations for the new season went well. The local outfit were relegated from Division 1 to lower ranks (Division 2) at the end of last season.
“The team has had a very fruitful pre-season and have planned well for the season ahead. The coaches have prepared the team as best as they can, and the players have responded well. It is exciting times for the Tuskers as we welcome many talented youngsters to our fold who are keen to test their skills.
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“I believe we have the perfect blend of youth and experience, and we are looking forward to the season ahead …” said Sathiaseelan.
With the new domestic season around the corner, the Tuskers are in the final stages of their preparation before they get their CSA T20 Knock-Out Competition under way this weekend.
They are in action against last season’s CSA T20 Provincial Cup champions, Limpopo Impalas, away in their competition opener today and have picked a new-look squad for the clash.
The Impala’s beat Northern Cape in the final last season by six wickets. Captain Michael Erlank will lead the team once again, and he’s excited to see what the new members of the squad can bring to the team.
“There are a lot of new faces, and I’ve enjoyed the new arrivals because they bring a lot of joy and new energy to the squad,” Erlank said. “The boys have been working really hard on their skills as well and we’re really looking forward to seeing how we go in this upcoming season.”
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Following their relegation from Division 1 last season, Erlank says the team will be focused on the small steps that will hopefully take them back to the top flight. “It’s going to be another massive season for us in Division 2 this year and the goal remains the same — we want to get back into Division 1.
“We’re going to take each game as it comes and try to string a few good performances together, which will hopefully take us to that goal of getting back into the top flight,” he added.
As part of the season’s preparation, the Tuskers included Inland’s best club and school cricketers in the Tuskers Premier League (TPL). For Erlank, this has been an invaluable tool in their preparation.
The Tusker Premier League was a good tournament for us as a pre-season hit out and guys put in a lot of good performances. The TPL also gave us a chance to see the depth that we have in our pipeline here in Maritzburg
“There were a couple of schoolboys that put in some good performances and put their hands up which is nice to see.”
Tuskers head coach Ahmed Amla has announced his first squad for the season, with several new faces in the mix for their trip to Limpopo.
ACDC Express Tuskers Squad:
Kagiso Rapulana, Cameron Shekelton, Sean Whitehead, Sean Gilson, Chad Laycock, Mike Erlank (c), Ntando Zuma, James Ritchie, Thabiso Ndlela, Ziyaad Abrahams, Mbulelo Budaza, Kyle Nipper, Mondli Khumalo,
Daelen Fynn.
