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Johannesburg – Proteas skipper Graeme Smith believes the Indian Premier League could be a fertile ground for producing future South African internationals.
Smith is one of the stars of defending champions the Rajasthan Royals. He attended the launch of a new partnership between the Royals and South African Pro20 champions the Cape Cobras.
The second IPL tournament was moved from India to South Africa this past week due to security reasons.
In future the Royals and Cobras will swap players so that young South Africans can hone their skills in India. The two sides will also play in two training games against one another before the tournament starts at Newlands in Cape Town on April 18.
“It’s an exciting partnership that will be to the advantage of both cricketing nations,” said Smith. “The tournament is a big opportunity for the up and coming players of both India and South Africa.”
Smith believes the transition from domestic to international cricket is a difficult one.
“For that reason it’s a good opportunity to expose young players to conditions on the sub-continent,” he said. “It will help them to be able to adapt easier when they finally play for South Africa.”
He believes it’s a big feather in South Africa’s cap to have been picked as IPL host.
“South Africa is now one of the leading host countries as far as major sporting events are concerned. It will be a great trial run before the Confederations Cup and World Cup soccer events,” he said.
“It’s high time that all the positive things of our country are celebrated and while it’s a big disappointment for Indian people that the tournament will not be taking place in their country, it’s fantastic for our people.”
Johannesburg – Proteas skipper Graeme Smith believes the Indian Premier League could be a fertile ground for producing future South African internationals.
Smith is one of the stars of defending champions the Rajasthan Royals. He attended the launch of a new partnership between the Royals and South African Pro20 champions the Cape Cobras.
The second IPL tournament was moved from India to South Africa this past week due to security reasons.
In future the Royals and Cobras will swap players so that young South Africans can hone their skills in India. The two sides will also play in two training games against one another before the tournament starts at Newlands in Cape Town on April 18.
“It’s an exciting partnership that will be to the advantage of both cricketing nations,” said Smith. “The tournament is a big opportunity for the up and coming players of both India and South Africa.”
Smith believes the transition from domestic to international cricket is a difficult one.
“For that reason it’s a good opportunity to expose young players to conditions on the sub-continent,” he said. “It will help them to be able to adapt easier when they finally play for South Africa.”
He believes it’s a big feather in South Africa’s cap to have been picked as IPL host.
“South Africa is now one of the leading host countries as far as major sporting events are concerned. It will be a great trial run before the Confederations Cup and World Cup soccer events,” he said.
“It’s high time that all the positive things of our country are celebrated and while it’s a big disappointment for Indian people that the tournament will not be taking place in their country, it’s fantastic for our people.”
