Botswana cricket is preparing for a bountiful harvest after sowing seeds to ensure sufficient reserves going into the future.
In 2007, the BCA introduced a programme to take what was largely considered an elite game, to public schools and steadily the outcome is becoming visible to the cricketing world. To date, more than 25,000 learners have been involved in the project.
The programme has already produced the brilliant Karabo Motlhanka and Thatayaone Tshose who have become the cornerstone of a transitioning national team.
Expatriates have played a significant role in the past but due to the rising talent, homegrown players are emerging at a gratifying pace.
Both Motlhanka and Tshose are already seasoned players with significant experience playing abroad.
Tshose has had spells in England, becoming the first Botswana player to feature for an English side. He played for Kelven and Feering Cricket Club in 2016, while Motlhanka followed Tshose’s path in 2017 when he joined Homewood Cricket Club in the Derbyshire County Cricket League.
Last year, Motlhanka was called up to join Matebeleland Tuskers in Zimbabwe and made his first-class debut. He later returned for a spell in Zimbabwe’s domestic T20 tournament.
The minutes under their belts in international cricket have massively benefitted the national team.
Motlhanka, a left-handed batter has been instrumental, opening the batting with seasoned cricketer, Reginald Nehonde.
The 26-year-old Tshose, who primarily exploded into the scene as a right-arm medium pacer, has matured into a brilliant all-rounder.
He showcased his explosive batting style when he clobbered Mozambique bowlers on Monday on his way to scoring 49 from just 14 balls.
Botswana’s journey at the ACA Africa T20 Cup came to an abrupt end with a semi-final defeat to Tanzania on Wednesday but undeniably traces of progress were on show.
The way Botswana had played until the four-wicket loss to Tanzania, had many to believe the team could go all the way to a first ever final.
It has been a batter’s paradise with Botswana’s stars from the development starring impressively. Captain Motlhanka was the undoubted stand-out performer top scoring with 180 runs across the four games. Other than the performances, Botswana handed debuts to Leano Maphane and Boteng Maphosa who are expected to form the core of the national team going into the future.
Phemelo Silas is maturing and batted with grit and style as he amassed 79 runs in his four matches.
Other players from the development structures included Valentine Mbazo, who struggled with the bat and Mmoloki Mooketsi who has become one of the team’s trusted spinners, occasionally opening the bowling. Mooketsi and Tshose finished the tournament with three wickets apiece, while there was also a wicket for debutant Maphosa.
BCA has ensured that gradually integrating the stars from the development programme is not disturbing the balance of the team.
Coach Joseph Angara has allowed seasoned players like Nehonde, Inzamamul Master, Vinoo Balakrishnan, Zain Abbasi and Soraj Kollery among others, to guide the emerging stars.
While Motlhanka was the star with the bat in South Africa, it was spinner Dhruv Maisuria who was at his destructive best with the ball. Maisuria finished the tournament with 11 wickets, including a match-winning five-wicket haul against Ghana. BCA chairperson Sumod Damodar is pleased with the progress of the game.
“Any progressive national team, be it seniors, men, or women, would usually see an influx of younger players into the team. Grassroots is the key to any success of any sport.
We will have the opportunity to introduce younger players. Now with the introduction of the Under-19 women’s World Cup, we will have a large pool of young players from which to select,” he said.
He said it is important to keep the young team young to ensure there is no gap when the older players retire. Additionally, he said it is critical to infuse the younger players with their senior players.
Damodar said although Botswana fell to Tanzania in the semi-finals, there is visible progress in the quality of players.
“There is a marked difference compared to previous tournaments. They have shown that they are capable and proved us right.
It just goes to show that we have the possibilities when we participate in future tournaments, that this team can perform better, particularly with the inclusion of players who did not travel to the tournament,” he said.
Damodar said when the captain leads from the front the rest follow as the batting did well. He added there is a need to resume school sport, which is a key component of BCA’s development programme.
Damodar added: “We have already lost two years. We just concluded the Under-19 women’s tournament and we didn’t have the numbers due to the absence of school sports. It’s absolutely important that school sports resume, there are no two ways about it.”
