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Craig HillAustralians Cricket Clinic For South African Kids
February 24th 2009 06:16
It’s not often you see Brad Haddin do a handstand or Michael Clarke deliberately hit catches for an entire innings, but the Australian Cricket Team let their hair down today, holding a clinic for local kids in one of South Africa’s poorest areas in Soweto.
With kids from all over the area taking a few hours off school to meet the team, local coaches had a number of different stations set up for boys and girls of all levels. While captain Ricky Ponting rolled his arm over in a mixed game in the middle, Mitchell Johnson and Mike Hussey got more technical with specific batting and bowling groups.
“It’s been great, there’s some really talented players here which is good to see," Hussey said.
"It’s good to come out to a community like this and if we can help out in any way it’s great for world cricket."
“It’s amazing how many kids are here and how good they are. There are some great bowlers here and they’re naturals with the bat which is really good.”
Meanwhile vice-captain Michael Clarke with a group a little younger than the skipper’s, joked with team physio Alex Kountouris about his recent back injury as he hit catches to a stacked leg-side field.
“How’s my form physio?” He jibed.
“Is this my fitness Test?”
“If he gets through this he can play the Test Match,” Kountouris jokingly replied to CATV’s camera.
While Simon Katich and Nathan Hauritz worked with some local spinners on a drill designed to work on flight, Andrew McDonald, Phillip Hughes and Ben Hilfenhaus had a laugh with a local pace-coach at his inability to complete his own drill.
“You’re supposed to hit the red cones coach!” Hughes said.
“I’m trying Mr Hughes, I’m trying,” the coach laughed.
Speaking to the media later in the day, Hughes could only marvel at the reception of the hundred or more kids in attendance.
“It is definitely a long way from Macksville," Hughes said of his home town.
"I know all of our guys have thoroughly enjoyed today. It has been great to see the smiles on the kids' faces."
The Aussies get back to business tomorrow with a team training at Wanderers Stadium ahead of the opening Test of the VB Tour of South Africa on February 26. CATV will be taking you On Tour with the team right through the three-Test series.
With kids from all over the area taking a few hours off school to meet the team, local coaches had a number of different stations set up for boys and girls of all levels. While captain Ricky Ponting rolled his arm over in a mixed game in the middle, Mitchell Johnson and Mike Hussey got more technical with specific batting and bowling groups.
“It’s been great, there’s some really talented players here which is good to see," Hussey said.
"It’s good to come out to a community like this and if we can help out in any way it’s great for world cricket."
“It’s amazing how many kids are here and how good they are. There are some great bowlers here and they’re naturals with the bat which is really good.”
Meanwhile vice-captain Michael Clarke with a group a little younger than the skipper’s, joked with team physio Alex Kountouris about his recent back injury as he hit catches to a stacked leg-side field.
“How’s my form physio?” He jibed.
“Is this my fitness Test?”
“If he gets through this he can play the Test Match,” Kountouris jokingly replied to CATV’s camera.
While Simon Katich and Nathan Hauritz worked with some local spinners on a drill designed to work on flight, Andrew McDonald, Phillip Hughes and Ben Hilfenhaus had a laugh with a local pace-coach at his inability to complete his own drill.
“You’re supposed to hit the red cones coach!” Hughes said.
“I’m trying Mr Hughes, I’m trying,” the coach laughed.
Speaking to the media later in the day, Hughes could only marvel at the reception of the hundred or more kids in attendance.
“It is definitely a long way from Macksville," Hughes said of his home town.
"I know all of our guys have thoroughly enjoyed today. It has been great to see the smiles on the kids' faces."
The Aussies get back to business tomorrow with a team training at Wanderers Stadium ahead of the opening Test of the VB Tour of South Africa on February 26. CATV will be taking you On Tour with the team right through the three-Test series.
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Go to Craig Hill's home page for information about corporate training courses, university preparation courses and writing services available
