High Performance Academy Shifts Gears

The second phase of the Gary Kirsten Cricket High Performance Academy is up and running after a two-week break during the festive season.

Six more players have joined the Ryan Cook led programme which offers exclusive interactions with Kirsten and other top coaches as well as one-on-ones with world renowned professionals from a variety of different backgrounds.

“The players come from around the world so some opted to go home for the festive season while others decided to stay and enjoy the fruits of Cape Town,” Cook said.

The new boys in the camp have hit the ground running and will join the rest of the group as the programme now shifts towards a focus on the shorter formats of the game.

“The new players have been for their tests at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa. We have also done some video analysis of their batting, bowling and fielding,” Cook explained.

In the coming weeks they will play T20 games against Stellenbosch University and a host of Premier League Clubs.

“It is a chance for them to test themselves in the middle,” Cook said.

“We spent a lot of time focusing on test cricket during the first half of the programme. Now we will prepare the guys to adjust their game and make the most of their ability,” he added.