The TRNC Cricket Club Start Training
With eager anticipation of the TRNC Cricket Club again playing in the Cyprus league, squad training re-started this week at the Pia Bella Stadium.
The Club’s first game is in on Sunday 12th October, so, as team Captain Danish Afridi said “the pressure is on to get the team fit and in top form in time. Most of our Pakistani players only normally play very short games, so 40 overs/side will be a real test of their stamina and concentration”. Leading batsman Sakir Khan added, the longer format is all about building an innings, using sound defence as well as hitting the big sixes”. Opening bowler Janwali Khanalso felt keeping a continuous tight line when bowling up to 8 overs in a spell will be demanding, but if the bowlers practice enough in the next couple of weeks, he hopes the Club will make it to the final on 30th November.
2 hour training sessions are being held 4 times a week, with times both in the morning and evening, to ensure everyone can attend regularly. For the batsmen, the focus is on shot selection and maintaining scoring rates without recklessness, whilst for the bowlers it’s about consistency, bowling to a plan and not merely delivering the ball as fast as possible.
The league has been split into two sub-leagues, with 4 teams based at Limassol and the others playing along with the 
TRNC side in the Buffer Zone at the UN’s ground. The leagues will have a play off for the final top 4 positions, with the game between the two teams coming 2nd being held on the 23rd November and the final for those finishing top on 30th November. I wonder what odds the bookies are offering on the TRNC winning?
Currently, heading the tables are Fellows and Gennadios, each with 60 points, both having won all their games.
Team Manager Nigel Holman said “everyone at the Club is grateful to both Girne’s Sports Stadium Manager Ogun Gontem and the Pia Bella Hotel’s owner Ali Cağaner for helping the Club with the use of their Stadium. Without them, practice would have been impossible”.
For further information, please contact Nigel Holman on 0533 8248999 or email nigel@nigelholman.com
