Veterans Cricket Association of South Africa appoint Craig Lyons convenor of selectors

Craig LyonsAqeel Cupido (left), Craig Lyons (centre), Raymond Booi (right).

The Veterans Cricket Association of South Africa have appointed a selection panel ahead of May 2023’s over-40 inter-provincial tournament in Johannesburg.

The three-man selection panel comprises South Africa Over-60 cricketer Aqeel Cupido, South Africa Over-50 cricketer Craig Lyons and Border Over-50 cricketer Raymond Booi. Lyons has been named convenor of selectors.

After the over-40 inter-provincial tournament, the panel will select the South Africa Over-40 squad for November 2023’s Africa Cup in Tshwane. The inaugural Over-40 World Cup is scheduled for March 2024 in Cape Town.

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“Raymond Booi has been involved in the selection of players at various levels. Booi was included in the Border Over-50 team which played in the VCASA over-50 inter-provincial tournament in 2022,” read a statement from the Veterans Cricket Association of South Africa.

“Aqeel Cupido has played premier league cricket in the Boland and Western Province. Last year, he played for South Africa Over-60 at the inaugural Over-60 World Cup in Australia. His involvement in selection was at Wynberg Cricket Club, where he served as a committee member and selector.

“Craig Lyons has played premier league cricket for Old Edwardians Cricket Club in Johannesburg, and first-class cricket for Oxford University in England. More recently, Lyons was selected for the South Africa Over-50 for the recent Over-50 World Cup in Cape Town.

“All three candidates bring a wealth of cricketing and selection knowledge to the new panel.  We would like to thank the over-50 selection panel, which included Kabelo Khaas, Elvis Govender, Eugene Adams, Ismail Teladia and convenor Vernon Cresswell.”

Over-40 inter-provincial tournament background

The inter-provincial tournament will feature former Proteas cricketers. Batsman Alviro Petersen and seamer Garnett Kruger have been selected for the Lions Over-40 squad. Batsman Ashwell Prince will captain Western Province Over-40.

Several former first-class cricketers will participate in the tournament as well, including Lions Over-40 quintet Matthew Harris, Warren Dugmore, Johan Fourie, Gareth Flusk and Solmzi Ndima.

Titans Over-40 have former Cape Cobras batsman Derek Brand. East Rand Over-40 have former Dolphins batsman Kyle Smit.

Wanderers Cricket Club and Old Edwardians Cricket Club will host the inter-provincial tournament, which will feature eight teams:

The tournament is scheduled to start on 8 May and end on 12 May. Matches will be contested over 45 overs per innings.

More Over-40 inter-provincial tournament (IPT) news