Fasken Time Cricket Festival tests top schoolboys at St David’s
Persistent weekend rain forced organisers to cancel the final day of action at the ninth edition of the event.
The Fasken Time Cricket Festival 2026 brought together some of South Africa’s promising young cricketers at St David’s Marist Inanda from September 3–6, providing a test of skill, patience and character.
The four-day festival was expected to deliver several days of competitive time cricket, but persistent rain over the weekend disrupted the programme and ultimately forced organisers to cancel all matches scheduled for September 6.
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As a result, what was planned as a four-day festival ended up being a three-day event, with teams having to adapt to challenging conditions while making the most of the cricket that could be played.
Hosted by St David’s Marist Inanda and sponsored by law firm Fasken, the festival has grown into an important fixture on the South African school cricket calendar since its introduction in 2017.
The 2026 edition was the ninth competitive edition of the festival following disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
The event featured 12 teams: St David’s Marist Inanda, St Stithians College, St Andrew’s School, King Edward VII School, Clifton School, Middelburg Hoërskool, St Charles College, Waterkloof Hoërskool, Jeppe High School for Boys, St John’s College, Noordheuwel Hoërskool and the Lions Cricket Invitational XI.
St David’s Marist Inanda sports performance and cricket director Dave Nosworthy said the school was proud to welcome the participating teams, players, coaches, officials, parents and supporters.
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With 156 players, 28 coaches and managers, 12 umpires and six scorers involved, Nosworthy said the festival was more than about simply playing cricket.
“It is about creating an environment in which young cricketers can really test themselves, learn from one another, and experience the unique demands and rewards of the longer format of the game,” he said.
While T20 cricket continues to influence the modern game, Nosworthy believes time cricket teaches players skills that cannot always be developed in shorter formats.
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The longer format requires players to think beyond the next delivery, build an innings, construct a spell, manage sessions and remain disciplined when immediate rewards are not forthcoming.
“It develops technique, tactical awareness, patience, concentration and resilience, all qualities and values that extend well beyond the boundary rope,” Nosworthy said.
“Cricket has a remarkable ability to teach lessons in leadership, humility, perseverance and character, and we hope you leave this festival not only as better cricketers, but as better young men.”
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