National Side season 59 Be part of it.

[boscorp]

One of the more difficult tasks I face when taking on a successful Side is maintaining its success. We appear to have a good bit of depth in quality players for the next few seasons but beyond that we still have a bit of work to do, we need more SA recruits each week.
Sometime after the social match against Ireland I will be announcing a new squad. All up I expect around a third of the squad will change for one reason or another. There will likely be some further minor changes in the following weeks as we prepare for the first tour of the season.
If you feel you have had a player overlooked please contact me, It's possible at this stage.

[boscorp]

South Africa will be hosting the first OD tour of the season and directions have been issued to prepare the Crumbling, Slow and dry wickets.
A new squad has been prepared although there still may be some changes during the week if much happens with form and training.
Our upcoming matches are against India, Australia, West Indies, Sri Lanka and UAE. They are all very competitive sides and I expect some close matches. We are going in with what I believe will be a strong touring side so the pressure will be on me to motivate and direct the players for a winning result. The 18 man squad will be announced next week.
Once again feel free to contact me with any player queries, questions or advice.

[KJLumberjack]

It's awesome to hear that you are so prepared for the first tour. I have high hopes that it will be a successful one.

I just wanted to mention that there has been a lot of potential stars recruited in the last 3-4 weeks. Great primaries, experience and relevant talents. Even though it will take a number of seasons before we see these players on the NAT level of he future is looking bright in South Africa!

[boscorp]

It's awesome to hear that you are so prepared for the first tour. I have high hopes that it will be a successful one.

I just wanted to mention that there has been a lot of potential stars recruited in the last 3-4 weeks. Great primaries, experience and relevant talents. Even though it will take a number of seasons before we see these players on the NAT level of he future is looking bright in South Africa!

Thanks, although it's not me that's really prepared... I'm still trying to pick a final 18 for the tour. There are a good number of clubs or managers that have fostered these players thru their development to reach the National squad and I'm really fortunate there is currently a good bit of depth in quality.
It's the first of 4 tours leading to the next OD Cup. We are very fortunate to be starting off in div1 and aim to keep that position whilst also trying to improve experience for upcoming players.
It's good to hear of good quality recruits so far this season. Maybe we can get together over the next few weeks and see if we can think of a good way to increase the number of weekly recruits to a more competitive level, we are currently below average.
Touring squad will be finalized in the next few days and announced on Sunday. There are a lot of players on the edge of squad selection, if you feel you have a player good enough please contact me.

[KJLumberjack]

Thanks, although it's not me that's really prepared... I'm still trying to pick a final 18 for the tour. There are a good number of clubs or managers that have fostered these players thru their development to reach the National squad and I'm really fortunate there is currently a good bit of depth in quality.
It's the first of 4 tours leading to the next OD Cup. We are very fortunate to be starting off in div1 and aim to keep that position whilst also trying to improve experience for upcoming players.
It's good to hear of good quality recruits so far this season. Maybe we can get together over the next few weeks and see if we can think of a good way to increase the number of weekly recruits to a more competitive level, we are currently below average.
Touring squad will be finalized in the next few days and announced on Sunday. There are a lot of players on the edge of squad selection, if you feel you have a player good enough please contact me.

That is true, I have been talking to a lot of managers and all of them have a real passion to watch their players succeed at the highest level.
More than happy to set some time aside to strategise about the best way to improve recruiting. Message me in game, I would like to pick your brain about a few things regarding the NAT and U20 side.
Unfortunately all my seniors are 1 or 2 categories off being a NAT level player atm. Give me 4-5 more season and my youth players that I am promoting will be knocking down the door!

[boscorp]

Its time to announce the squad for our first tour of the season. Crumbling, slow & dry are the wickets we expect to play on.
Bowlers
LF V.Ruffles
RFM D.Lambrechts
LFM J.Harburn (VC)
LM B.Sheppard
RFS F.de Vaal
RFS D.Telemachus
RWS A.Jackson
RWS P.van Rauenstein
LWS A.Zeneca

Bats
L.Pinot-Peitersen
P.de Mic
B.stanford
D.Cox (C)
K.Carrington
E.Ballens
J.Frylinck
R,Philp (WK)
N.Naitanui (WK)

We have 5 players making their International debut.
E.Ballens, J.Frylinck, J.Harburn, B.Sheppard and P.van Rauenstein.

The matches will be,
1) India on a slow wicket
2) Australia on a dry
3) West Indies will be crumbling
4) Sri Lanka will be dry
5) UAE on crumbling.

[boscorp]

After a disappointing couple of games last week for Fanie de Vaal some rumors are circulating that his shoulder is giving him grief yet he was seen at todays training session moving freely. I'll give an update later in the week. Hopefully a couple of matches can bring his form back in time for next week.
Meanwhile, focus has been turned to veteran batsman Lukas Pinot-Pietersen following his inclusion in the tour advertising as one of the big potential run scorers.
Does anyone have any info to share on recent changes to form calculations? I know it is related to fantasy points but I think there is an extra formula applied to bowlers. Does anyone know anything about it?

[boscorp]

Okay guys, the opposition have all arrived and been seen milling around the jewelry stores and tourist hotspots with their partners and families. A different atmosphere to that of the 80's when the bars and room service were the entertainment feature of a tour. The reporters have continued the speculation over Fannie de Vaal. He does have a shoulder injury, the doctor is monitoring him and he has been declared fit to play in this tour including the first match against India if selected. It looks as though the rain will hold off for the week with some Hot and humid weather predicted mixed in with a couple of milder sunny days later in the week.
The match selectors have been refining their tactics for the tour to ensure the right players are available for their key matches and I am expecting our side to entertain the home crowds with some wonderful cricket.
Tune in here daily during the tour if your interested in my take on the matches and how the tour is going. No worries if you don't want to, there will be a link on your homepage where you can view the tour games yourself. For those that do come and read here please feel free to add a bit of feedback, good or bad. I have heard it said that I am up myself and privileged because I've walked into a div1 rated side that came 2nd in the last world cup. I do feel privileged regarding our position and accept my accent probably gives the wrong impression to my personality.
Win or lose it is going to be an entertaining season. The squad on paper is strong and worthy of its ranking and position yet looking at past rivalries on all of our opponents we still come out as underdogs for retaining a spot in div1. Our goal for this tour is to avoid demotion. The more wins the better.

[boscorp]

The high humidity is meant to last another day before a small break on Wednesday. We played our first tour match today and secured a first up win.
We had 3 players making their debut today which can always be a risk. Our side had prepared for the game over the weekend intending to bowl first, restrict the run rate to between 4 and 5 and chase down a lowish score.
Focused on winning the toss the players dwelled on losing the toss rather than that we were fielding first as planned. It took us a bit to get going, dropping a couple of catches in the 5th along with a couple of misfields which allowed the 2 openers to get a good start. Being dropped twice allowed their 2nd opener to score a solid 66 into the 23rd over. A solid run rate was in the making but we managed to pull ourselves together during drinks and improved our fielding positions. Jackson and Zeneca, our 2 wristies took out the first 4 wickets, Finger spinner Telemachus got the 5th while Ruffles cleared up a couple of the bowlers and Sheppard helped keep the runs down. The runs were on the board for India though and we were still left a score of 297 to chase down.
First game jitters got to opener Frylinck after a brazen swipe at the opening delivery he was red faced and walking back to the pavilion, the yellow peak on the green helmet still on his head looking somewhat like a ducks beak angled toward the ground. We were 2 for 17 by the 5th over when Ballans with eyes wider than the cricket ball succumbed to a rising bouncer and edging the ball to mid on. A debut high score of 6 runs. Pinot-Pietersen was in by then and once joined by the captain Cox they realised they had a huge task ahead. Full concentration and persistently chasing runs had us back in the game around the 30 over mark. A 240 run partnership into the 44th over resulted in Pinot-Pietersen scoring his first International century. Cox went on to secure his 3rd century and a highest score of 175 not out. Shepperd helped close the innings with 11 not out.
We have Australia next on a dry wicket. They fielded a very strong side today and I expect they will tomorrow too. After todays win the nerves should have settled for the next match.
More news tomorrow.

[boscorp]

This was always going to be a tough match and we were outclassed on this occasion. Harburn (capt) and van Rauenstein both made their debut today.
We won the toss and elected to bat, our confidence rose. Frylinck and Ballens both looked the part taking their positions to start the innimgs but all that confidence came tumbling down once the deliveries started up. Both were back in the changeroom by the end of the 4th over and we had collapsed to 5-72 by the 20th over. In came the captain to rally our remaining batsman Carrington on to a top score of 117 in a partnership of 143 runs. Harburn ended up on an unbeaten 66 and we finished the innings at 9-248.
It was a decent score but not quite enough to contain Australia. Some good bowling and fielding kept us in a good position throughout the match but we weren't able to capitalize on it.
West Indies tomorrow.

[boscorp]

Looking at the league table it was pretty evident we needed a win today, and a good one at that. We set a game plan. Bat first, survive the 50 overs and try to build a good score. "Three's a charm" kept repeating in my head as I headed over to include Frylinck as opener yet again. Feeling a bit concerned I paid him a visit and reinforced to him that a big score wasn't my expectation from him this tour, just stay in and the runs should come.
We got the win and it was a decent one too.
Frylinck took heed of his directions, the runs didn't come his way but he lasted 10 overs. He played his part. Cox was just getting started before the bowler body slammed him from behind as he set off from the non strikers end. He was run out on 23. Stanford, Pinot-Pietersen and de Mic all kept the runs ticking over at a steady rate of around 4 an over till the 35th over when Naitanui came to the wicket. It didn't take long before he was belting the ball effortlessly to a personal best unbeaten 74 runs. He was well supported along the way and we finished up 7-265.
We had set a great target and were able to try out a few fielding settings to contain the runs and as the pressure built the wickets started to come. All bowlers got wickets, Telemachus and van Rauenstein both got 3 wickets. A 71 run win was the result.
Sri Lanka is next.

[boscorp]

Well, we handed that win over to Sri Lanka a bit too easily.
We lost the toss and were told to field. That had Lambrechts pumped up and he was one of the first out there warming up waiting to start. We started with some great bowling and had them 4-18 within the first 5 overs. We had them on toast... then we went soft on them and although economical we allowed them to settle their innings with 176 runs. Zeneca took 4 wickets, Lambrechts 3, Harburn 2 and Jackson 1 wicket. We were disappointed but still felt we had control of the game.
It was a slowish start to our innings but we were on track with a higher run rate and wickets in hand. Carrington had gone in the 5th and Ballens lasted to right before drinks with 42 runs. After drinks we fell into a slump. Suddenly we were at 5-113 and feeling out of our depth. We struggled on to last 46 overs all out for 163.
UAE tomorrow. Should be a big game to follow.

[boscorp]

The side for the last match has been decided and the players look relaxed as they go through their preparations. It's been a good tour with a lot of players performing well. The supporters have been great, The electronic attendance counter has been on the blink all week reporting a crowd of 25860 at each game. My estimates have been about 10k higher for each of our games.
UAE want the win to claim the title and will no doubt be strong but I am confident our lads will rally up with the support of the home crowd and produce a convincing win.

[boscorp]

Well we underestimated the UAE.
Following the toss we elected to bat first. We were scoring runs but were more consistent at losing wickets and by the 13th we were down 3-47. A 75 run partnership between Cox and Philp steadied the collapse and Philp played on with Carrington to see his 56 runs scored a bit quicker and we finally ended up with 6-257. Philp got his first international century with an unbeaten 107. We were satisfied with the lead score foolishly and set out our bowling. Wickets were hard to come by and after about 10 overs the tempo had changed and the game was falling from our grasp. Numerous efforts to try and stem the runs all proved fruitless and the game was lost.
Thanks for the support guys. I'll give a tour run down in a couple of days. I think we can be happy with the tour result.

[boscorp]

Overall I think we can be pretty happy with the tour result. I've learnt a bit from it regarding player rotation and batting order changes, a few players improved their experience and a good number celebrated milestones in their careers. Only the 2 wins so we can improve on that.
Dean Cox (231 runs) and Kevin Carrington (184 runs) topped the run scorers, Astra Zeneca (8 wickets) and Petrus van Rauenstein (8 wickets) were both 1 wicket short of the leader and Randall Philp topped the keeper list with 3 stumpings and 8 catches.

T20 tour of UAE is next up and we will be playing on an interesting selection of crumbling, dry and sticky wickets. Our opponents will be in the following order, Ireland, India, USA, Canada and lastly UAE.