CSA names national academy intake for the season

CHENNAI: When the senior Proteas are busy taking on India in the Test series at home, Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Monday laid out the future roadmap for the season as it announced the men's and women's intake for this year's National Academy Programme.
The women's programme will begin on May 21 and the men's programme the following day. Both programmes will run until July 27.Thereafter the SA Emerging Men's squad will be named for the tour of Sri Lanka in August which will consist of three four-day matches and three one-day matches.
"The Powerade National Academy Programme forms a very strategic part of our developmental pipeline," commented Corrie van Zyl, CSA general manager cricket adding "and has as its aim to prepare young players for the demands of professional cricket. These selected players that are carefully identified include previous graduates of the SA U-19 programme, performing senior provincial and emerging franchise players.
"This past year saw a highly successful SA Emerging Squad away series against Zimbabwe 'A' and it has been highly encouraging to see the manner in which a number of them have gone on to the next level of making their franchise squads.
"In addition, two members of the National Academy intake last year - Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder - went on to represent the Proteas. Ngidi has made his Test debut against India. Odine Kirsten, who was a member of the Women's National Academy intake last year, represented the Momentum Proteas at the ICC Women's World Cup.
"This confirms that this programme is living up to its expectations to assist CSA and its Members to develop the identified players in such a way that will produce quality players for our domestic competitions as well as prepare them for future international participation."