Young South Africa eyeing Windies talent

The current visit of the South Africa 'A' team to the Caribbean in some ways resembles a fact finding mission.

Speaking to Sunsport before the team's opening match of the tour, Hylton Ackerman, one of two coaches assigned to the team, noted the importance of this tour ahead of the visit by the main South Africa team next year.

'We want to use this experience. You know our main side comes here in February next year and who knows, some of these players may come out here with that side,' Ackerman said.

'It's the first time a South African side has come here for a full tour. Our main side only played the one Test Match here a few years ago so we have very little experience of conditions in the West Indies; of the players in the West Indies.

'For these young guys I think it is an exciting time. A lot of them want to push for higher honours,' said Ackerman.

The coach, who is also a national selector, is keen to have a firsthand look at the young talent on show here in the West Indies.

He said that because of the structure of cricket in South Africa, it is not difficult to find talented players to replace those at the top.

'All of our provinces have academies which are run by professional coaches, so throughout South Africa the cricketing boards have done a great job and there are loads of young players playing cricket in South Africa at the moment and they are all dying to get into the major side,' said the coach.

There is a high level of curiosity surrounding the fast bowling talent in the Caribbean and Ackerman is keen to get a glimpse of the new crop of West Indies fast bowlers.

'Wherever you go in the world they always talk about the West Indian fast bowlers, so hopefully we will see a few of the new crop,' he said.

'Maybe there are a few guys who can replace the great Walsh and the great Ambrose, so we're looking forward to see what you've got,' he said.