HD Ackerman on the season ahead

Who would believe that the summer season is upon us with the way the weather has been in Cape Town, but it is and the squad are almost ready.

I say almost, as on Sunday the 18th we leave for a mini tour of Kimberly and Johannesburg to put the finishing touches to what has been a very organised and intense winter training schedule. The squad will be minus Ashwell (Prince), Charl (Willoughby) and Greame (Smith) who are away with the SA "A" side as well as Gary (Kirsten), Jaques (Kallis) and Roger (Telamachus) who will be in Kenya with the senior side. The selectors have still managed to put together an exciting side with a wonderful blend of youth and experience and the added bonus of one Neil Johnson, our new pro from Zimbabwe.

Neil and Jeanie [his wife] seemed to have settled well into Cape Town and I am very sure will be welcomed with open arms by the Newlands faithful. The winter has seen our coaches, Eric Simons and Vinnie Barnes, the Sports Science Institute and the players form a relationship that has been missing in the past and that will ensure not only a succecful season but a prosperous future for WP Cricket. Everybody is fit and healthy as well as hungary for success. Brian Macmillan looks ten years younger and Roger Telemachus ten times fitter.

This column is going to be a regular in the future, appearing on this page fortnightly so as soon as things get under way i can assure you that as your new captain I will be keeping you all well informed of how the team that belongs to YOU is getting on.

See you soon!

HD ACKERMAN.

PS The WPCA website will provide regular score updates from Kimberly.