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Cricket's in Mahatlane's blood

Cape Town - Lawrence Mahatlane, who was controversially appointed as the new coach of the SA Under-19 cricket side, insists he has enough experience for the role.

Mahatlane replaced Ray Jennings, despite the latter leading the South African Under-19 side to their first ever World Cup title earlier this year.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) earlier this week made two new appointments - Shukri Conrad as national academy head coach and Mahatlane as national Under-19 coach.

Despite CSA denying it, the appointment left many to believe that Mahatlane's appointment was done purely for political reasons.

In an interview with the Beeld website, Mahatlane said: "If I didn't think I was good enough for the role, then I'd never have applied for it."

Mahatlane said he has been involved in cricket for 17 years and that the game is in his blood.

He doesn't like the limelight and likes to do his job in a quiet manner - which can be given as a reason for why his name is not familiar with the general public.

Mahatlane was assistant coach to the Under-19 team back in 2002 when the late Hylton Ackerman was coach. In 2003 he was head coach on a tour to India and in 2004 he was again assistant coach when current Proteas coach, Russell Domingo, was in charge.

He said the fact that he was involved in two previous Under-19 World Cups would stand him in good stead for the task at hand.
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