Devon Cricket Board - South Africa Tour 2003 Archive

South Africa Tour 2003

BACK ROW

STEVE EDMONDS, JONATHAN MEARS, STEPHEN KNIGHT, MATT COOKE, JACK HORTON, JACK PORTER, JAMES FRASER, ROSS ACTON, JOSHUA BESS, MARTIN WEBB

FRONT ROW

ALAN SWIFT, MICKEY WILKINSON, JUSTIN YAU, MIKE WIGLEY, JAMES CARR, TIM PIPER, TOM ALLIN, EILEEN SOUTHERN (LEFT TO RIGHT)

Tour Report
They say you should never go back to the same place, as it will never be the same. How wrong you can be. The Kruger National Park, Cape Town, West Province and the whole South Africa and World Cup experience was even better; some would say “awesome”.

We left Devon with the temperatures around zero degrees and 18 hours and hardly any sleep later arrived in the Kruger National Park to temperatures of 38 degrees and humid! No significant rain for 3 months and the driest for 30 years- ideal game watching conditions- but we were here to play cricket, out of season and yes perhaps spot the odd animal.

After a braii in the bush, courtesy of our hosts and a good nights rest it was up for a leisurely breakfast at the thatched Kruger Golf Club overlooking the last green and lakes- beautiful- with malachite kingfishers flitting across the water. Then to the Skukuza cricket club to play the Limpopo Invitation XI. It was overcast, humid and very hot. A challenge to anyone man let alone 15 year olds 5000 miles from home. Devon made 214-4 off 40 overs with Jack Horton (Plymstock) 88 not out and putting on 74 for the 4 th wicket with Justin Yau (Torquay) 36. Tom Allin (Bideford) 25 not out the first to succumb to the heat and retiring to the pavilion to drink plenty of water! Devon then bowled out the Limpopo XI for 103 winning by 111 runs with Jack Porter (Barton) taking 4-5 and Mickey Wilkinson (Torquay) taking a stunning driving catch in the covers.

At 4.30PM it was off on an evening Game Drive to see the wildlife. The highlight, not the hundreds of Impala, but with stop lights, a pride of lions and their cubs feeding off a warthog and two lionesses calling to each other and then walking over a distance of a mile or so to each other and their greeting when finding each other. To bed and up at 4.00 AM to a lad to go on a dawn Game Drive. Nothing for an hour as we drive into the bush- empty waterholes and parched scrub; then around the corner a herd of elephants and their young feeding on the side of the road. It was just like a wildlife documentary but being their in their presence, within feet of them was just fantastic- a memory to cherish- worth the tour cost alone!

After breakfast at a boma it was down to the cricket club and the Lowveld Invitation XI again in intense heat and humidity. The occasional exotic bird flew over the ground, animals and birds called, monkeys played in the trees and robbed the dustbins and warthog raided gardens and stood under local residence sprinklers to cool off- and oh yes strolled around the ground holding up play- a little reminiscent of Tavistock and the ponies and sheep! Devon restricted Lowveld to 129 off their 40 overs with Tom Allin (Bideford) the pick of the bowlers taking 3-18. Devon struggled in the heat before Justin Yau (Torquay) 34 not out and Jack Porter (Barton) 13 not out put on 59 for the 9 th wicket, a very mature partnership in extreme conditions, defending stoutly, taking the singles and the occasional boundary, to see Devon home by 2 wickets.

Early the next morning via the impressive new Mpumalanga airport Devon flew to Joburg and then to Cape Town for the second leg of their tour.
On our first full day in the Mother City, a cool 30 degrees, Devon impressively dressed in their blue and yellow one-day clothing, played a day/ night match against a Western Province XI at Milnerton Cricket Club. It was clear the lights, which were not of the stature of those at Newlands and might be insufficient, that it was an important to win the toss. Needless to say Devon lost the toss and WP batted. With accurate bowling and outstanding fielding, Devon bowled WP out for 107, Ross Acton (Bradninch) 4-15 the best of the bowlers. A lengthy delay ensued to eat and whilst it got dark enough for the lights to take effect (if they ever did? Was it a ploy to try and stop us winning?) before Devon with the odd hiccup, as it was not easy, reached 108-5 and won by 5 wickets. Jack Horton (Plymstock) 32 the top score but James Carr batted for ages and latter said how he had to get down beneath the lights to see the ball. The game was interrupted several times by the automatic sprinkler system switching on until someone placed a brick on a sprinkler- technology! A unique carnival day of cricket to remember for the rest of your life- as it is unlikely many, if any, of the lads will play a day/ night match again.

Devon then enjoyed a days rest with a trip to Robben Island to see the famous prison so long the home of Mandela and others until the end of apartheid. On the journey back there was an unseasonable glimpse of a Southern Wright Whale tail- must be global warming!

To Bellville the next day to play Northern Suburbs and a visit from Plympton’s 2002 young Western Province player Will Hantham, on his way to Newlands to bowl at the Pakistan team. In Devon’s 45 overs they made 189-9 with Matt Cooke (Sidmouth) 31 the top score. Northern Suburbs struggled in reply thanks to good bowling from James Fraser (Sandford) 3-28. James Carr (Unitied Services) took a brilliant Jontyesq catch at cover point, which inspired the team. A last wicket partnership, lasting 50 minutes, however almost cost Devon the match but Steve Knight (Plymstock) took the vital wicket to secure a tense 9 run victory. The Northern Suburb’s captain was no less than the young man who had performed at the World Cup opening ceremony- a local celebrity. That evening Devon, like the England Cricket Team, were treated to a trip to the Newlands Rugby Stadium to watch the Super Twelve match between the Stormers and the Sharks. 45,000 people crammed into a concrete caldron. Amazing noise and atmosphere- so intimidating- what was it like when the Boks played The Lions?

There were 25,000 people at Newlands Cricket Ground the next afternoon to watch England play Pakistan- most of them English. Some of the lads sat on the grass in front of the scoreboard and desperately tried to get notice by the TV. A different atmosphere but when the lights came on (not the odd bulb as at Milnerton) and Jimmie Anderson roared in, it was fantastic, electric and the cold (colder than sitting outside the pavilion at Kingsbridge CC on an Autumn afternoon) and harsh Cape Doctor disappeared. 5000 miles from home and sitting 20 feet away are Sandford Cricket Club and other friends appear all around the ground- a Plymouth Argyle Tangerine shirt was even spotted! Good result! The 100 mile an hour Aktar ball, another first and a bonus.

On Sunday with the beautiful dramatic Table Mountain as our backdrop, Devon played WP Under 15’s B at the Green Park Track, just around the corner from our Breakwater Lodge, Waterfront Hotel. The heat, the late night and bugs began to take their toll and the only fit eleven take the field.

Devon restricted WP to 209-6 off their 50 overs with Matt Cooke (Sidmouth) taking 3-38 with his off spin. Devon felt this was very achievable on an excellent surface and superb outfield- improved for the pre World Cup matches. Unfortunately no real partnerships developed and Devon struggled for the first time on tour against straight accurate bowling and excellent slow left arm spin. Matt Cooke made 25 but Devon were bowled out for 153 and lost by 56 runs in the 46 over. Disappointing as Devon man for man were undoubtedly the better of the sides- lessons were learnt.

Monday morning saw a quiet start to the day followed by a trip down to Cape Point, via Fish Hoek for a swim, lunch in Simons Town, the former port of the British Navy, another swim with the famous Jackass penguins at Boulders beach and then the Cape Point Nature Reserve. The scenery spectacularly dramatic and the sea, the Indian Ocean a pleasant 22 degrees- mind the jelly fish! The wind at Cape Point howled and it was entertaining to see people ringing their loved ones from the shelter of the Cape Point lighthouse and shouting to try and get heard. The Baboons, like small dogs prowled around looking to scavenge from the tourists- the apprehension of a number of Devon players amusing to see.

Then a quick drive back to Table Mountain and a trip in the revolving cable car, just in time to see the sun set over Camps Bay- so peaceful in comparison to Cape Point. The views hazed by smoke from a fire on the mountain, spectacular- you can see why Cape Town and Table Mountain are one of the top 5 things to do in the World. Unforgettable.

Tuesday another rest day and it is off to Paarl via Stellanbosh. A stop at a vineyard complex- gosh it is hot- with a Cheetahs orphanage develops into a long stop as the lads have the chance to go into the enclosures and stroke the Cheetahs- not to be missed. They are beautiful sleek animals with appealing faces- it is hard to see that they are the fastest animals on earth and killers. Experiences with Birds of Prey then fill a half hour before via the University we finally arrive at the home of Boland Cricket to watch Pakistan v Holland complementary of the SACB- there are 3 overs of the Pakistan innings to go.

It is scorching 42 degrees and shade and water have to be found. After an hour of the Holland innings, Wasim taking his 500 OD wicket, it is decided that we must retreat to the cool of Cape Town and a swim.

One of the highlights of 2002 was the trip to Langa and the Township. The Cricket club another refurbished for the World Cup, was much improved and against a modest side Devon made hay scoring 282-5 off 45 overs. Michael Wigley (Bideford) 32 and James Fraser (Sandford) 25 put on 74 for the opening partnership, Jack Horton (Plymstock) 24 and Matt Cooke (Sidmouth) 74, 49 for the 3rd wicket, Matt Cooke and Tim Piper (Clyst Hydon) 68 not out, 108 for the 5th wicket. The Langa Development XI were never really in the chase and were bowled out for 142 with Michael Wigley taking 3-12.

Unlike last year we were not inundated with youngsters who ran off with our kit. Lots of youngsters did arrive after school and Devon players joined them in games of football and cricket. Lundi, the young Western Province player who played at Sidmouth in 2002 also visited us.

The trip into the Township was different- more poignant- the smell of the open sewers, dirt and filth far more noticeable than before because of the heat- the squalor and poverty, roadside butcheries with the meat being cooked on the other side of the road, the cardboard, timber, tarpaulins shanties, built on reclaimed sewers, some with no electricity and none with toilets or running water, very humbling.

We don’t realise how luck we are. We take things for granted and are too materialistic. Perhaps there should be compulsory trips to such areas to put things into perspective- the odd 50 Rand hopefully will make a small difference. Tears of joy.

The next day, from one extreme to another Devon play WP Under 14’s at the privately owned Utzig, Cricket Ground, Constantia, with mountains in the background and vines growing on the boundary edge. The small colonial pavilion stands proud nestling amongst trees overlooking this picturesque ground. Team photos then the match, the best of the tour. The first 40 minutes Josh Bess (Sidmouth ) and James Fraser (Sandford) bat beautifully against some very useful bowling. The innings is brought to life first by Tim Piper (Clyst Hydon) 41 and then Jack Porter (Barton) 45 not out and Devon score 214-9 off their 50 overs. On a role, Ross Acton (Bradninch) then takes a wicket in his first over and then dramatically runs out the number 3 and WP- expecting to win- have an uphill fight. Pressure fielding and James Fraser (Sandford) finding his form 3-17 culminates in Devon winning a magnificent match by 92 runs.

West Indies v Sri Lanka at Newlands on Friday afternoon will be remembered for the Sarwan incident. Felled by a sickening blow to the head and then stretchered off- then returning late in the game and almost dramatically winning the match for the West Indies- raw courage from a diminutive figure. I hope the Devon sponsors had their video set as the lads place themselves strategically behind the batters and are all over the video reply screen for an hour and a half-
phone calls from the UK confirm they are all over the TV- Sky eventually move then back a few rows!

The last match against WP Under 15’s A, short of their stars, is the tour’s anticlimax. The heat, bugs and tiredness take their toll and Devon never really compete on a belter of a track at Fairburn College- perhaps it was the thoughts of home as jets from the airport constantly buss us. Jack Horton (Plymstock) scored 50 but 162 all out was never going to be enough. Afterwards it was off to Newlands and the Presidents Suite, to present two Township clubs with full kit bags and a bursary to a young Township orphan cricketer to buy books for his college studies. The t- shirts given to the young players from Fish Hoek dwarfed them- plenty of room for growth however.

The hospitality we encountered, whether in the Kruger or Cape Town was once more incredible including the free medical treatment to an injured player. Players, great ambassadors for Devon, developed as persons and cricketers and undoubtedly learned many life lessons- not to be found in the classroom. The memories and lessons will not fade.

Should you read this then a very sincere thanks to all our friends in South Africa for your kind hospitality.

Many thanks to Alan Swift for organising the tour; Martin Webb, Steve Edmonds, Eileen Sothern and Jonathan Mears.

Tour Averages / Results

16^TH FEB AT SKUKUZA CC

DEVON 214-4 (J HORTON 88*)

LOWFELD 103 J PORTER 4-5, R ACTON 4-16)

DEVON WON BY 111 RUNS

17TH FEB AT SKUKUZA CC

LOWFELD DEV XI 128-10 (T ALLIN 3-18)

DEVON 129-8 (J YAU 34*)

DEVON WON Y 2 WICKETS

19^TH FEB AT MILNERTON CC

WESTERN PROVINCE INV: XI 107 (R ACTON 4-15)

DEVON 108-5 (J HORTON 32)

DEVON WON BY 5 WICKETS

21^ST FEB AT BELVILLE CC

DEVON 189-8 (M COOKE 31)

NORTHERN SUBURBS180 (J FRASER 3-28)

DEVON WON BY 9 RUNS

23^RD FEB: AT GREENPOINT TRACK

WESTERN PROVINCE U15B 209 -6 (M COOKE 3-38)

DEVON 152 (M COOKE 25)

WP U15B WON BY 57 RUNS

26^TH FEB: AT LANGA CC

DEVON 282-5 (M COOKE 74, T PIPER 68*)

WP DEV 147 (M WIGLEY 3-12)

DEVON WON BY 135 RUNS

27^TH FEB: AT UITSIG CONSTANTIA

DEVON 214 (J PORTER 45*, T PIPER 41,

WP U14S 122 (J FRASER 3-17)

DEVON WON BY 92 RUNS.

1^ST MARCH AT WEST COLLEGE

DEVON 162 (J HORTON 50)

WP 166-3 (J PORTER 2-47)

WP WON BY 7 WICKETS

Played	Won	Lost
8	6	2

STATISTICS

2003	I	NO	R	HS	Av	O	M	R	W	Av	ER	C
R Acton	4	0	21	17	5.3	48	12	143	16	8.9	3.0
T Allin	6	0	54	25	6.0	28.5	8	107	6	17.8	3.7	2
J Bess	5	0	82	37	16.4
J Carr	7	1	53	17	8.8	30	8	128	3	42.7	4.3	4
M Cooke	6	1	155	74	31.0	15	2	72	3	24.0	4.8	2
J Fraser	4	0	41	25	10.6	20.3	1	96	6	16.0	4.7
J Horton	7	1	209	88*	34.8							3
S Knight	2	1	14	8	14.0	35	7	121	7	17.3	3.5	1
T Piper	6	1	128	63*	25.6							1
J Porter	5	3	103	45*	51.5	35	6	114	11	10.4	3.3	1
M Wigley	5	0	67	32	13.4	15	3	44	4	11.0	2.9	2
M Wilkinson						13.3	0	72	3	24.0	5.3	2
J Yau	6	3	81	36	27.0							10+3St

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