L.Perigoe - St. George's College (Captain)
D.Crouch - Falcon College (V.Captain)
S.Barry - St. George's College
J.Biggs - Prince Edward
D.Bradshaw - St. John's College
J.Cameron - St. George's College
C.de Grandhomme - St George's College
I.de Grandhomme - St George's College
G.Dlamini - Christian Brothers College
S.Marisa - Falcon College
T.Mawayo - Hillcrest College
T.Ruswa - Churchill
B.Taylor - St. John's College
J.W.Redfern - Manager
R.Price - Coach
J.Tapfumaneyi - Umpire

The touring squad flew into Port Elizabeth at approximately 8.30 p.m. on Sunday 10 December, 2000, after missing our connecting flight in Johannesburg through our late departure from Harare. We suffered further delay when our hired transport could not be acquired because we had no credit card facility and US$ traveller cheques were unacceptable! We eventually arrived at our accommodation at the University of Port Elizabeth and after hunting down room keys went to bed after midnight and having missed the Managers/Coaches briefing and welcome.

THE TOURNAMENT

DAY 1 Monday, 11 December v Easterns (Eastern Transvaal)

Easterns 208 (50 overs)
Zimbabwe 74 all out.
LOST by 134 runs.

Team photographs were taken with borrowed P.G.Bison shirts - ours were still locked away - we being placed last in line; then last into breakfast because we had no meal tickets; then last out to fields as we attempted to gather the score sheets, balls, lunches, umpires and scorers, all of whom had been allocated the previous evening. After the briefest of warm-ups our first game began!

The game was played on the University `D Field' - correctly named to reflect its ranking as a cricket ground! We lost the toss and were put in to field. The pitch started playing easily but as the morning drew on bounced lower and lower until, when it was our turn to bat in the afternoon, short-pitched deliveries on and off line seldom rose above ankle height and we were skittled out for a mere 74 - the lowest score of the day! Our bowlers were guilty of bowling far too many short-pitched and wide deliveries on a slow pitch although Stan Marisa kept a good line and length throughout. Of the batsmen, only Brendon Taylor seemed to appreciate the hazards of playing back and across the line, and it was unfortunate that he was adjudged run out having made top score of 33.

The opposing team, who had suffered no ungentlemanly conduct on our part, were guilty of numerous breaches of the codes of conduct - from direct insults to our batsmen to prolonged, persistent and pressurizing appeals to the umpires (all of whom were `development umpires'). As in previous years, managers, coaches and players were later warned about sledging, over-zealous appealing, etc., and the rest of the week went `relatively' free of bad behaviour on the part of players and officials. I had already made it clear to our team that I would not tolerate such behaviour and I am very pleased to report that at no stage did I have to mention the matter again!

DAY 2 Tuesday 12 December v Border

Zimbabwe 153 for 7 (50 overs)
Border 154 for 8 (49.5 overs)
LOST by 2 wickets.

We won the toss and elected to bat on a slow low wicket on the University C Field. Brendon Taylor again made top score (29). Many players looked set and then succumbed to injudicious shots. After lunch, we took regular wickets and had Border reeling at 98 for 7 and behind the over-rate. With 16 runs to score off only 10 balls and with only two wickets standing, it looked all over for them. Then a disputed six which appeared to bounce well within the boundary enabled Border to `steal' a victory off the second last ball of the innings!

It was ironical that Border was eventually recognised as the unofficial winners of the P.G.Bison tournament, losing only one game. Further irony was to follow when we learned that the team batting first on the Varsity `D' Field - the scene of our ignominious defeat of the previous day - were bundled out for a tournament low of 40 and a decision was made to drop that field as a venue!

DAY 3 Wednesday 13 December v Northerns

Zimbabwe 247 for 7 (50 overs)
Northerns 155 for 5 (50 overs)
WON by 92 runs

Despite our two losses, the team went into this match charged up. The venue had moved inland to Uitenhage, at D.P.School, away from the slow low pitches and windy weather. We won the toss for the second and last time, and elected to bat. The pitch was a lot quicker and had more bounce - more like those that we were accustomed to at home.

We opened with Taylor and Mawayo, both of whom quickly settled and put on an opening stand of 72, Taylor having made 53 of them before falling to another run-out from a deep throw from mid-wicket. Mawayo (49) continued to provide the anchor whilst Sean Barry (44), Biggs, Bradshaw and Ian de Grandhomme weighed in with some useful quick-fire runs - giving us the tournament-high score of 247 for seven.

Northerns appeared to make no attempt to reach this target against our tight bowling and scored 155 for five at the close of their innings, giving us an easy 92-run victory.

DAY 4 Thursday 14 December v Free State

Zimbabwe 146 all out (50 overs)
Free State 147 for 5 (43 overs)
LOST by 5 wickets

We lost the toss on another slow and low Technikon wicket and were put into bat. We struggled from the start, losing early wickets - Taylor having his only `failure' when sparring at a wide ball outside the off stump and being caught for 0. Only Crouch who batted stoutly to be unbeaten at the end for 35, Colin de Grandhomme who opened making 24 and Biggs with another hard-hitting knock of 23 contributed significantly to our total of 146 all out on the last ball of the 50 overs.

This score was never going to be enough against a strong Free State team who boasted the top run-scorer for the South African U15 World Cup side. We did drop him before he reached double figures but thereafter he took us apart and Free State easily passed our score with 5 wickets down in the 43rd over.

DAY 5 Friday 15 December v KwaZulu Natal

Natal 167 all out (46 overs)
Zimbabwe 168 for 8 (46 overs)
WON by 2 wickets

Despite our poor results, the team was in good spirit and determined to beat Natal. We played at Grey High School on a faster track with more bounce - but still slower than Zimbabwean wickets. We lost the toss and Natal elected to bat. We had rested our captain, Luke Perigoe, and David Crouch led the team. Ruzwa whilst fielding a ball fell and suffered concussion - he played no further part in the match. As a result, Ian de Grandhomme was needed to bowl more than the quota of spin he might normally. He proved expensive and this allowed Natal to reach a respectable score of 167 against our normally tight attack.

Mawayo (33) opened with Taylor and this proved successful again. Taylor mixed caution with aggression to record the tournament-high score of 86 before his slow running between the wickets led to his downfall for the third time! We were well placed at 130 for three and well ahead of the required run rate when we suffered a fairly major collapse through over-confidence and lack of application. We eventually passed Natal's score with only two wickets standing (one being Ruzwa whom I was reluctant to permit to bat!). Mention should be made of Brendon Taylor's two breathtaking leg-side stumpings off medium-pace bowlers to remove threatening batsmen. He had previously shown this skill against Northerns and had won the Best Wicket-keeper Award following that match, together with Sean Barry's Best Fielder Award for his two memorable run-outs. Following this batting performance against Natal, Taylor won the bat for the Highest Score Award of the final day - and in my opinion must have run close for the Best Batsman of the Tournament Award.

OVERALL RESULTS

PLAYED 5; WON 2; LOST 3

The results suggest that we were amongst the weaker sides - but this is NOT correct. The pitch on the first day (to a great extent) and the circumstances of our late arrival (to a lesser extent) made a mockery of the result against Easterns. In addition, we were by far the better team against Border who later recorded the best overall results! Only in our match against Free State did we look the weaker side.

I consider that we were amongst the strongest sides although much depended on Brendon Taylor who was brilliant with the bat and standing up at the stumps (not necessarily when standing back though!). Our bowling was tidy and accurate although lacking in real penetration. Marisa is singled out in particular, although Barry and Cameron (the bowling find of the tour) both took wickets and were economical.

Luke Perigoe captained the side admirably both on and off the field. All boys played in four of the five matches - only Taylor, Barry and Marisa deservedly played in all games. Each player was given ample opportunity to play in his specialty position.

Each morning immediately following breakfast, there were the `All Star Awards' at which the outstanding players of the previous day were awarded magnificent prizes of bats and other cricketing gear. Brendon Taylor won two separate awards for his keeping and his batting whilst Sean Barry was rewarded for some memorable fielding.

The captain, Luke Perigoe, gave good advice and direction and led by example. He was always polite and respectful to both myself and the coach. At no time did he show any trace of dissent or unwillingness to comply with the few instructions we had whether on or off the field. He enforced the dress codes we had imposed and maintained the standard of good manners and discipline we had asked for. He set the example for the others in relation to their treatment of adults and the organisers. The team always looked smart and well turned out, and drew favourable comment from many managers, the organisers and parents for their manners and conduct both on and off the field. There was no need to discipline any single member of the team for any misbehaviour or lack of promptness - even the most petty! I was extremely proud to be their manager!

I cannot over-emphasise the need for both managers and coaches to give as much time to their young charges off the field as on it. If this is done, there is little time for mischief and irritation amongst them. Sadly, many managers and coaches at this tournament paid no attention to their boys at all after the game and, even on the field, were reluctant to control the antics and behaviour of the players.

FINAL OBSERVATIONS

I have not had the privilege of reading the coach's report and therefore cannot comment on it. However, having been a selector of this team and understanding the reasons for each of the players selection for the tour, I believe the following observations are pertinent and may be of use for future tours. In relation to the players:

1 Taylor is a very, very talented young batsman who shows the ability to reach high international standards in the future! Once he loses the awkwardness of youth at this age, he will also make a more than useful wicket-keeper! His keeping was superior to that of Crouch - the latter however proved to be an excellent ground fielder, perhaps the best in the team.

2 The bowling of Marisa as a left-arm spinner was impressive although he needs more variation and an improvement to his batting and fielding. The selectors would be pleased to note that his choice as the premier spinner was justified. Barry is a more than useful all-rounder who fulfilled the task entrusted to him. He like Taylor and Marisa were considered indispensable and played all five games!

3 The failure of Cameron with the bat, despite being given every opportunity, was a disappointment. He lacked self-confidence. However, he had unexpected success as a medium-pace bowler.

4 The failure of Perigoe to apply himself with the bat was of concern. He too lacked confidence, especially when the pressure was being applied. However, his emergence as a capable skipper who had the confidence of his players was most pleasing.

5 The lack of consistency and reliability of Ruswa with bat and ball was a source of worry to the captain and the tour selection committee.

6 Ian de Grandhomme struggled to bowl six balls an over of consistently good leg-spin, causing the unnecessary loss of runs at crucial times. However, his willingness and ability to raise the run rate whilst batting through sharp calling and running between the wickets was excellent. He and Crouch were particularly agile.

7 Biggs is a useful hitter of the ball when the situation demands, although he needs to learn that one need not hit the cover off each and every ball! His bowling however was disappointing and lacked both line and length on occasions.

8 Dlamini was run out or ran himself out in three of his innings before making any impact with the bat! However, he was a tremendous team man and threw himself around the field more than anyone else. But chosen as a batsman he did not produce the goods!

9 Bradshaw, Colin de Grandhomme, Crouch and Mawayo all justified the faith placed in them by the selectors by a performance or two worthy of their ability.

Ray Price is a knowledgeable and committed coach who held the respect and affection of all the boys. I know they have learned a lot from him and their experiences on this tour.

I have once again enjoyed the experience and thank the Z.C.U. (especially Mike Whiley) for the appointment as Manager. It has been an honour and a privilege to be associated with junior cricket at this level. I thank also the wonderful sponsors, P.G.Bison, the manufacturers of kitchen cupboards fittings and units - especially Mike Minaar. The organisers of the tournament were tremendous and I especially mention James Hay, Chairman of the Eastern Province Organising Committee who was tireless in his efforts to help us.

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