Cape Town Cricket Club’s David Holgate and Claremont Cricket Club’s Kenny Jackson have been named in South Africa’s squad for next year’s Over-50 World Cup.
Holgate, Jackson and Montrose Cricket Club’s Nazeem White have been included in a 16-man squad that features former Proteas cricketers Alan Dawson, Jonty Rhodes, Louis Koen, David Callaghan, Pieter Strydom and Henry Williams.
“It is a huge honour and one I never imagined would happen again,” said Rhodes.
“Another chance at a World Cup after my career ended at the 2003 event – it is super exciting. It’s a first World Cup for most of the guys but, for me and Dawson who was also part of the 1999 squad, it’s another chance to try and win one.”
The captain will be announced closer to the tournament, which will be played in South Africa in March 2020. Former Proteas fast bowler Allan Donald is the head coach.
“Trials were held in five cities around the country and a lot of very good players were extremely unlucky to miss out. But we’ve got a lot of experience in the squad and, provided we stay fit there’s no reason we can’t win it,” added convenor of selectors Steve Palframan.
Donald concluded: “It’s a strong squad on paper and I have no doubt they’ll do their country proud, but there’s a lot of hard work to do before the tournament because teams like Pakistan and the West Indies are also full of former internationals, while England and Australia have long established veterans leagues so they’re always strong.”
South Africa squad for Over-50 World Cup
Jonty Rhodes, Dave Callaghan, Louis Koen, Alan Dawson, Pieter Strydom, Kenny Jackson, Dave Holgate, Anwell Newman, Neil Fusedale, Rodney Malamba, Mlungisi Ngece, Dave Duncan, Warne Rippon, Brad Player, Nazeem White, Henry Williams.