Cricket South Africa (CSA) may soon have to employ an educator to go along on Proteas tours, due to the number of school pupils representing the senior national teams.
Last year saw teenage fast bowler Kwena Maphaka travel to Sri Lanka with the South Africa 'A' Men’s team whilst still in Matric at St Stithians. Maphaka also played in his first Test against Pakistan over New Year, while waiting on his results.
Now, Steyn City High school star Karibo Meso is set to be part of the Proteas’ Women’s team to tour the idyllic Indian Ocean island for a tri-series against hosts Sri Lanka and New Zealand next month.
Meso, 17, has already played in two T20I’s for the Proteas Women’s team. The wicketkeeper/batter would most likely have played many more international matches already but instead opted to focus on her academics.
“I've been there and I've had ups and downs,” the teenager responded to how she’s balancing her cricket commitments and school.
“But there's a support system now. I think CSA is helping me pretty well and also the support of the team management and also some of the players who finished with school. I can go to them and just shout for help and they're just helping me.
“Also, I don't think about it too much when I play cricket. When it's time for school, it's time for school. When it's time for cricket, it's time for cricket.”
Steyn City School’s Karabo Meso smashed an unbeaten 117 runs to secure the inaugural Schools SA20 Girls Championship title by 61 runs against Saint’s Christian School in Pretoria on Saturday #GoGirls Report Link in First Reply⏬ pic.twitter.com/WnXQnM50CF
Meso’s calendar has certainly been overflowing this year. She formed an integral part of the SA Under-19 team that reached the ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup final in Malaysia, dominated the Schools SA20 by winning the Player of the Final as she led Steyn City to the inaugural title, and played a prominent role for the Lions Women’s team in both the Hollywoodbets Pro20 and Pro50 series.
She was particularly outstanding in the 50-overs competition, with her 275 runs at an average of 45.83, which included a century, powering the Lions to the championship. Meso is looking forward to carrying this form with her to the subcontinent.
“Obviously, it's going to be, I'll say, hectic,” she said. “The sub is really hectic, but I think I'll take that with just going through every day, not rushing myself and just saying, just get over the day.
“I think I'll just take a day at a time and just focusing on what's there for me.
“I’ve been to India before. I think I'm in a really good space. I think the coaches back me wherever I am. I think it's really going to be fun when I go to Sri Lanka if I'm part of the team.”
The Proteas’s first match will be against India on Tuesday, at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo before facing the hosts two days later at the same venue. There will be a further match against each team before the final scheduled for May 11.