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Aussies bowled over by SA talent

COVER DRIVE: Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting watches Buyani Ngcobo and Ntokozo Mazibuko from Uvuyo Primary School in Soweto go through their paces. 23/02/2009. © Sowetan. Pic. Bafana Mahlangu.
COVER DRIVE: Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting watches Buyani Ngcobo and Ntokozo Mazibuko from Uvuyo Primary School in Soweto go through their paces. 23/02/2009. © Sowetan. Pic. Bafana Mahlangu.

Meshack Khotha

Visiting Australian cricketer Philip Hughes feels there is an abundance of talent in South Africa.

The 20-year-old opener made the observation after he and his teammates conducted a successful cricket coaching clinic at the Braamfischer Oval in Dobsonville yesterday.

Hughes is in the country with the Australian squad to play the Proteas in a return Test series starting at the Wanderers on Thursday.

"I was marvelling at the abundance of talent I saw. The kids showed enthusiasm and commitment and also responded positively to everything we requested," said Hughes.

"No wonder SA has a great [national] side and they don't seem to struggle when picking up the best players."

Hughes said they were out to give the Proteas a tough test.

The Australia touring party, led by captain Ricky Ponting, had a busy day as they imparted their cricket know-how to the excited youngsters.

The participants who attended the clinic came from Soweto, Eldorado Park, Toekomsrus, Kagiso, Riverlea and Orange Farm.

Australia batsman Simon Katich donated R2 500 to the Gauteng Cricket Board.

He had won it as prize money after scoring a century during their three-day warm-up match against the SA President's X1 team in Potchefstroom at the weekend.

Left-arm bowler and batsman Ernest Moeng from the Johannesburg North under-19 team said t they learnt a lot from the international players in terms of techniques and life skills.

Said Moeng: "Ponting advised us to focus mostly on education and stay away from drugs."

Ten-year-old Kagiso Motloung from Orange Farm said: "It is great to learn the game from world-class cricketers. I wish they come back to Soweto before their departure to Australia."

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