T20 Cricket Festival: Diamantveld ready to take on all challengers

THE DIAMANTVELD High School Cricket Festival is set to bring together 18 schools from across the country for what promises to be a spectacle of top-tier cricket.

Hoërskool Diamantveld cricket captain Luhan De la Rey, spoke to the DFA and expressed confidence in his team’s preparation ahead of the upcoming T20 tournament, and said the hosts’ focus will be on power hitting.

“As a team, we’ve worked hard to cover all aspects of our game, but we’ve particularly focused on power hitting,” De la Rey said. “In modern T20 cricket, high run totals are chased down with ease, so it’s crucial to be ready for that challenge.”

De la Rey also emphasised the importance of staying composed under pressure. “As captain, my aim is to lead by example and keep my cool when the going gets tough. In critical moments, especially in a T20 game, it’s vital to stay relaxed and trust in the preparation leading up to the match. My role is to calm the team’s nerves and ensure everyone remains focused.”

The captain told the DFA that he believes his team is poised to make an impact in the competition. “We expect to cause upsets in the tournament by beating schools ranked higher than us. As the host team, we’re fortunate to be familiar with the venues, and we plan to use that to our advantage.”

He also highlighted the broader significance of the tournament for the school. “Hosting a tournament of this calibre has a huge impact on the school. When the team performs well, it builds a lot of pride in the school community and shows top schools around the country that we’re a force to be reckoned with.”

Meanwhile, the Diamantveld cricket coach Erlank Barnard also expressed his optimism ahead of the cricket festival

Barnard told the DFA that he is confident in his team’s readiness as they prepare for the upcoming festival, citing strong preparation and the diverse skill sets each player brings to the squad.

With the team having played a warm-up tournament in Somerset West, Barnard said that this served as valuable preparation for any challenges of the T20 Festival.

“We feel prepared thanks to the work we’ve put in and the individual strengths each player offers," Barnard explained. “Having a tournament in Somerset West ahead of the festival will provide us with a great platform to sharpen our skills. We’ve also had the privilege of working with players and coaches from NC Heat, which will certainly benefit the boys as they head into the festival.”

For their T20 preparations, the the coach has focused on the team spending more time in the middle, simulating match conditions to improve performance.

“Training on the pitch is more effective than just hitting balls in the nets,” Barnard said. “We’ve incorporated middle sessions into our practice, along with a top-tier conditioning and gym program to build power for hitting and prepare the boys physically for the faster pace of T20 cricket. On the bowling side, we’ve worked on key target areas and how to handle various game situations.”

While Barnard is aiming for success in the tournament, he stresses the importance of taking it one match at a time. “Of course, our main goal is to win, but our first objective is to top our pool, which will give us a shot at the semi-finals. Playing at home adds an extra layer of excitement, and we want to showcase an exciting brand of cricket in front of our supporters.

“Our boys are familiar with these conditions, so we hope to use that to our advantage.”

Barnard also views the festival as an excellent opportunity for young cricketers to showcase their talent on a national stage.

“This tournament gives schoolboys a chance to compete against some of the best schools and players in the country. We don’t always get to play at this level, but I believe we have the talent to compete," he said.

“These events are crucial for keeping the love of cricket alive among young players, and they provide a platform for them to push for provincial and higher-level teams.”