RSA academy trainees finish tough first month

The latest batch of cricketers at South Africa's National Cricket Academy has completed its first month in the 2005 season. The group, who had gathered at the high performance centre in the University of Pretoria, have been put through their paces in various aspects of skill and performance training.

Anton Ferreira, the head of coaching, has been assisted by Dave Nosworthy, Barney Mohammed and Yashin Ebrahim Hassan. The intensive program, which began in May and runs till August, covers sports science, medical assessments, nutritional assessments, visual skills training, cardiovascular sessions.

"We have made a significant progress in the first month and the following three months will be crucial for the development of these boys," said Ferreira. "The initial assessments by experts have given us a clearer picture."

Trainees Kyle Smit, Jaco Booysen, Francois du Plessis, Jean-Paul Duminy, Miles Williamson, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Ugasen Govender, Morne Morkel, Francis Nkuna, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Mario Olivier, Brendon Adams, Thandi Tshabalala, Aaron Phangiso, Tyron Pillay, Waylain September Vernon Philander, Jandre Coetzee, Daryn Smit, Ryan Canning, Dave Nosworthy.