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AN injury has paved the way for the inclusion of Boland cricketer Vince Pennazza in the SA u.19 team.
The injury of the Easterns' fast bowler, Brandon Reddy, gave the lefthanded Boland speedster the chance he was waiting for.
Reddy suffered a stress facture to his fifth vertebra and was declared unfit to join his team mates on the tour to England.
It was a dream come true for Pennazza who was one of the shortlisted reserves for the touring team.
According to Vince's mother, Anna-rita, his nerves were already frayed when he got the call last Wednesday.
"He was totally ecstatic when he heard the news, saying, 'I can't believe I actually made the team'," says Anna-rita.
Ironically Vince told the team's coach, Dave Nosworthy that he would be "seeing him again" following a training camp where an initial squad of 24 aimed to impress the selectors earlier this year - and this has turned out to be true.
"He was excited when I spoke to him, but more importantly, he said he was proud to represent his country," Nosworthy said from Johannesburg while the SA players were playing the second of two intersquad warm-up matches on Monday. Seven players from the local cricket academy helped out to form two teams for the matches.
"On Saturday Vince only bowled six overs. He is a bit behind the rest of the team where training is concerned, but there's nothing wrong with his fitness.
"Although he hasn't taken any wickets yet, he is bowling very tightly and tidely. It's nice that he can perform in the middle again after the recent lay-off in the off season," Nosworthy said as Pennazza was bowling a spell in the second match.
"Vince is a great guy and he has fitted into the team nicely."
Pennazza is the only Boland player in the team of 15. He and provincial mate, Waylain September, were the only local players invited to the training camp.
Vince, who matriculated at Boys' High last year played for the Victorians at the University of Stellenbosch this season.
His inclusion gives Pennazza the chance to prove himself for selection in next year's u.19 World Cup team, a goal the Boland player set himself earlier this year.
"It definitely gives him an edge, hopefully he will play well over there. But the selectors will also be looking at the talent at the end of the year Coca-Cola weeks and see who is fit."
The SA team will play three tests and three One Day Internationals. |