April 4, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr
Players, ministry officials & the SLCA team during Monday’s visit to the sports minister
Sierra Leone national cricket team, The Patriot will today leave for South Africa to compete in the International Cricket Council (ICC)/ World Cricket League (WCL) Africa division I tournament scheduled to run from April 7th-17th April at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, Johannesburg.
The Patriot will have to face Botswana, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia in a 50 over format structure, with the winner gaining promotion to the next stage of World Cricket.
Before today’s departure, the team alongside executive members of the association bade farewell to the sports minter and officials of the National Sports Council of which the Sports Minister. Ahmed Khanou promised the team of financial support, plus additional finance if they returned home with the title.
The team wrapped-up their long preparations last weekend with a win over the Asians Pro Cricket Club at the Prince of Wales Cricket ground Kingtom, Freetown. It was the climax of their several test matches which was aimed at improving the player’s skills and beef-up their physical and mental fitness for the competition.
Head coach, Serry Turay, they were going out there to win and qualify to the ICC division 5. He added, “We had gone through intensive preparations; we have worked on all areas in batting, bowling and other aspects of the game.”
Sierra Leone will start the International Cricket Council (ICC)/ World Cricket League (WCL) Africa division I campaign in the competition against Ghana on April 7th before taking on Zambia the following day. The team will also face Nigeria on 11th April before taking on Botswana and Tanzania respectively.
The full squad includes; John Bangura – Opening batman, George Edward Ngagba – Opening batman and Spinner, Ibrahim Kamara – Opening batman and medium pace bowler, Yegbeh Jalloh – Opening batman and wicket keeper, Emmanuel Kamara – Opening batman, Lansana Lamin (Captain) – Middle order batman and fast pace bowler, Mohamed Khan – Middle order batman and spinner, Ishmail Komba – Middle other batman and medium pace bowler Mohamed Mansaray-Middle order batman and wicket keeper, Bami Williams – Opening swing bowler, Julius Brewa – Opening batman and wicket keeper, Abass Gbla – Middle order batman and swing bowler and Olu Compagnie-Coker – Middle order batman.