Actonville Spurs raring to go

The first deliveries of the new club cricket season will be bowled on Sunday, October 6.

The club have gone through some changes since finishing last year’s league in eighth position and both the captain and coach are aiming for a better showing this season.

Thapelo Ditle was recently appointed as the Premier XI’s coach and is looking forward to the challenge of coaching the team in his first season.

“I am slowly but surely getting to know all of the players and have been pleased by the talent available here at Actonville Spurs Cricket Club,” he said.

“It is up to us to get our minds’ right for the challenge of the new season.”

Ditle said that although the club are looking to put up a fight in the league, his focus is more of a three-season plan for the team.

“We are aiming to achieve our goals bit by bit and to sideline any negatives,” he said.

He added that the team’s preseason preparations have gone well and that he is happy with the commitment and willingness of the players.

Captain of the Premier XI Theo Naidoo said the season will be challenging, as a number of youngsters have come into the squad.

“They have shown a lot of commitment already and their preparations have gone well,” he commented.

Naidoo said the team are not worried about being in the top position and will set their sights on a mid-table placing, with development of the team being the most crucial aspect.

“We want to ensure continuity and consistency and refrain from chopping and changing the team too much,” he said.

The skipper added that the team are most looking forward to playing the stronger teams, such as Kempton Park and Benoni Northerns.

“We always tend to give our all when we play the strong teams, so those are always the games that we look forward to playing,” he said.

The Premier XI will take on KwaThema on the Willowmoore Park B field, on Sunday, October 6, from 9.30am.