Cricket: ‘Our Experience In South Africa’

Two Nigerian female cricketers, Ruth Ayannaike and Blessing Etim, have decribed their experience at the recently conducted Ladies Elite Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa, as a unique one that will not only help their career but the game in the country.

Ayyannaike and Etim represented Nigeria at the first madien Elite Academy courtesy of the Africa Cricket Association, ACA, last month.

While speaking with P.M.Sports, Ayannaike, who is the vice captain of Lagos Cricket team, said she and her colleague, Etim, who is a player of Lagos team were adjudged the best students at the end of the academy programme.

“We gave a good account of ourselves and we put up satisfactory performance both in class and pratical work. Duiring the academy, we were taken through practising of drilling, batting and bowling The instructors showed us examples of great cricketers. It was an expreience that I would  savour for a long time,” Ayannaike said.

Etim said the only shotcoming they encountered during the academy was that of strenght, which the instructors said was natural to Nigerian players.

“Nonetheless, we have good outing in South Africa and I thank Nigeria Cricket Federation, NCF for giving us the opportunity to attend the programme” she said.

Because of the good performance of the ladies in the academy, P.M.Sports gathered through the president of the NCF, Kwesi Sagoe, that the ACA has given Nigeria an  opportunity to take part in an African female tournament next month.

Meanwhile, Cricket Committee League Champions BRFCC, cruised to a fifty-seven runs win against President’s X1 on 29 October 2011 to mark the opening of the 2011/2012 Cricket Season at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval.Sean Phillips claimed 5-10 while his efforts was complemented by Spinner Varun Behani who claimed 2 wickets for 5 runs in 2.3 overs ,as the opponents were reduced to a meagre 84 runs in 28.3 overs.

The  2011/2012 cricket season ceremonial match held at the University of Benin cricket pitch on 5November 5, organised by the Edo State cricket association was attended by 271 participants, including 121 students drawn from eight schools within the state.

The ceremonial match was declared open by President of the NCF and the Chairman of Africa Cricket Association, Mr. Kwesi Sagoe and Mr. Bob Osaghae.

—Taiwo Adelu