Date-stamped : 25 Jan97 - 18:18 23 January 1997 Northerns a Catalyst for Development of Young Players Trevor Chesterfield This is a tale of three Africa youngsters. Two are black and are fast bowlers, the third is white and a batsman. One is from Zim- babwe, the other two are South African and they have something special in common: the facilities of Greater Pretoria, where they discovered how to best utilize their skills and talents in a highly disciplined game. Everton Matamabanadzo, an energetic allrounder, went on to play in a test series for Zimbabwe against Pakistan, sharing the new ball with Pom (Mpulelo) Mbangwa at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Quite articulate and already wear- ing today`s teenage trademark, an ear ring, Everton is far from the shy youngster you would expect. So, how come Pretoria had a hand in his development from a young hopeful to a test bowler within two months? Simple really. Ever- ton (like his twin brother Darlington, named after British soccer clubs) arrived with the Zimbabwe youth squad for the Zone VI tournament at the LC de Villiers Stadium in Hatfield in late Au- gust. Now in Zimbabwe there are only four recognised first-class "provincial" sides which makes for a small playing community. Not surprisingly, the bowlers soon know all the weaknesses of their batsmen opponents. But the Zone VI tournament, low key as it was, taught 20-year-old Everton a few new tricks. Each day presented a new challenge on different pitches, bowling to batsmen he had never seen before: an open air schoolroom with a special curriculum designed to improve a player`s education of the game. While not quite a genuine test star, Everton Matama- banadzo (a tongue twister to rank with the Sri Lankans) is a pathfinder, as are Cliff Sekowe and Johan Myburgh. Both are at Pretoria Boy`s High School and both made an impact on Northern Transvaal B at Northern Transvaal`s headquarters in Centurion the other day. It needs to be remembered that the Pretoria cit fa- thers vetoed plans to develop a test cricket venue in 1985. Granted, two for eight in a few overs against Namibia doesn`t make Sekowe an overnight star, neither will Myburgh`s undefeated 60 earn him any real headlines. But uts worth noting that the two lads were impressive for Northerns B against a country that takes part in the ICC tournament in Malaysia from March 23. Both young- sters are likely to be in the Northerns under-19 side to play Pakistan under-19 at Centurion Park next week: a side that has the alleged youngest test player, Hasan Raza. Contributed by Tony.Hassett (hasett@scientia.up.ac.za)