Better news from South Africa

On what would be called in this country a "sporting" wicket, Dan Redfern and Atif Sheikh have emphasised their potential in SOuth Africa against a University Sports XI

To be fair, it would be called sporting at the Oval or Chester le Street. At Derby they'd call it unplayable and be calling in the pitch inspectors...

Anyway, England Under 19s were put out for just 119 on the first day, with Redfern top scorer with 36 before he was run out. The bowlers have hit back and Sheikh reduced the opposition to 9-4 with a five over burst of 3-10. For a boy playing against youngsters two years older than himself he seems quite a talent and although there'll be mixed times ahead for him, there can be little doubt that we have unearthed a player of genuine potential - and by all accounts, pace.

Given that there have been comparatively few genuinely quick fast left arm bowlers (Wasim Akram and then...) I hope that we are ready to look after this young man and allow him to develop at the right pace, if you'll pardon the pun.