Minnaar to represent SA in England

Corrie Minnaar is the only player from the Lowveld chosen for the team which will travel to Birmingham, England, with the intention of bringing back the gold and claiming the title of best over-45 side in the world.

Minnaar is no stranger to international competition in indoor cricket, as he played in the previous Masters World Cup in 2013, where South Africa lost to Australia.

“We have a score to settle. We will return on October 31, hopefully with gold around our necks,” he said.

He was also selected for the SA over-30 team in 2004 and the SA Masters Mix in 2005.

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Although Minnaar played outdoor cricket since he was in primary school and he is still a member of a local team, Die Ooms, he was introduced to the indoor form of the game – or action cricket as it is also known – in 1998. And he has played in 19 interprovincial tournaments (IPT) since.

“The time spent on an action-cricket game versus the time spent on an outdoor game is the biggest reason why I prefer it to outdoor cricket,” he said.

He adds that although he is fit enough to still play cricket properly, it is the recovery time of the body which is the issue.

“But I still play and enjoy both forms of the game as much as ever. I enjoy the sport because of the challenge between bowler and batsman.

“The one will always try to outsmart or test the other to get on top and how sweet the reward is if either succeeds.”

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Minnaar, who has been a White River local since 2001, is also the proud captain of the Lowveld over-40 side – which are the reigning South African champions after beating Western Province in the IPT final in May.

Cricket is, however, not his only sporting love. He played rugby for the Laeveld Leeulopers until last year. He also plays a mean game of golf and even joined his wife in a mixed netball team for a few games at the Action Arena recently.

But he is very excited about the state of junior cricket in the Lowveld and gives credit to “Eric Grimaldi and some other very motivated coaches”.

“We already have a number of youngsters who represented South Africa in world tournaments and two open men’s players selected for the national training squad,” he said.

“Love for the game and hard work are starting to pay off.”

Minnaar, who is deputy principal at Hazyview Comprehensive School, has organised two events to raise funds for the overseas tour which will cost tens of thousands of rands for each player; one being a golf day and the other a function where the well-known Jonathan from Radio Raps will be performing this weekend at Hoërskool Rob Ferreira.