Local cricketer makes national U/19 team
" It's all about the hard work and when you put in the effort, you get the reward."
Mitchell van Buuren, a Modderfontein resident, has been listed to be part of the South African U/19 team that will tour Sri Lanka next month.
Mitchell attended Hurlyvale Primary School from 2005 to 2011 and is currently a pupil at King Edwards School (KES).
According to his father, he has represented Gauteng at the following levels previously: U/11, 12, 13, 15, 17 and Lions U/19. Mitchel said he has been playing cricket for the past 16 years. He started playing cricket when he was only two years old.
“I enjoy competing and the competitiveness of cricket,” said Mitchel.
He described himself as an all-rounder, saying, “It is a real honour to play for South Africa. It has always been a dream of mine. I’m very excited.”
The international tournament will be held between June 17 and July 14 in Sri Lanka, however in preparation for tournament, the team will be training at the University of Pretoria between June 13 and 17.
Mitchell’s father said in December Mitchell played in a provincial tournament in Pietermaritzburg, where he captained the Gauteng U/17 team. It was after this that he was selected to represent the Lions U/19 team in January.
“Two weeks ago he was named Gauteng’s U/17 Player of the Year and the next day he was announced in the South African U/19 team,” said Mr van Buuren, Mitchell’s father.
At KES, Mitchell is the captain of the first cricket team and represents the first team for hockey.
In giving advice to aspiring sportsmen and women, Mitchell said, “You really have to want it, it’s all about the hard work and when you put in the effort, you get the reward.”
