De Gouveia joins Alvanley
Adolf Kaure
Walvis Bay-based cricketer Mathew de Gouveia has signed a six-month contract to play for English side Alvanley.
During an exclusive interview with Erongo 24/7, De Gouveia expressed his elation to play for the team, which competes in England’s Cheshire County League.
“I am very excited and thankful for the great opportunity to be able to go play in the UK. It is a great way to learn and gain more experience for the future.”
“It is obviously new surroundings and a different level and it will test me mentally. I will be working hard and doing my best, hoping that it will help the team to achieve its goals,” said De Gouveia.
Currently the Namibia under-19 captain and a key member of the Welwitschia Cricket Club, the young sportsman will join Alvanley in April when the Cheshire County League commences.
The all-rounder, who is also a leg-spinner, featured for the Namibia U-19 team that took part in the U-19 world cup qualifiers.
He scored an impressive 102 runs from 110 balls (not out) in March against Sierra Leone.
His highest score as a batsman in the domestic league is 110 runs from 108 balls against Wanderers Cricket Club in a recent Premier League match, while his best bowling display was against Windhoek High School Cricket Club, where he took six wickets for nine runs in 4.3 overs. These figures are testimony to how the player has grown over the years.
“I have trained very hard and grown a lot as a player due to the different leagues I have been playing lately. I have become a much more intelligent player, not throwing my wicket away but rather assessing the situation and adapting to it,” he said.
Inspired by Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar as well as locals Shalako Groenewald and Gerrie Snyman, De Gouveia said signing for Alvanley means a lot for Namibian cricket as it shows that there is hope for other young players to get similar opportunities, especially those who came through the ranks.
“It will not only give exposure to Namibia as a country but also for cricket in Namibia. Other young players in Namibia will hopefully also aspire to go abroad and improve their skills.”
“Cricket Namibia is really doing some good work with the youth development structures that have allowed many players to come through the system. More must be done to keep building on this foundation. We need to all keep working hard for the future.”
He hopes to play either in Australia or New Zealand after his contract with Alvanley expires in September.
Walvis Bay-based cricketer Mathew de Gouveia has signed a six-month contract to play for English side Alvanley.
During an exclusive interview with Erongo 24/7, De Gouveia expressed his elation to play for the team, which competes in England’s Cheshire County League.
“I am very excited and thankful for the great opportunity to be able to go play in the UK. It is a great way to learn and gain more experience for the future.”
“It is obviously new surroundings and a different level and it will test me mentally. I will be working hard and doing my best, hoping that it will help the team to achieve its goals,” said De Gouveia.
Currently the Namibia under-19 captain and a key member of the Welwitschia Cricket Club, the young sportsman will join Alvanley in April when the Cheshire County League commences.
The all-rounder, who is also a leg-spinner, featured for the Namibia U-19 team that took part in the U-19 world cup qualifiers.
He scored an impressive 102 runs from 110 balls (not out) in March against Sierra Leone.
His highest score as a batsman in the domestic league is 110 runs from 108 balls against Wanderers Cricket Club in a recent Premier League match, while his best bowling display was against Windhoek High School Cricket Club, where he took six wickets for nine runs in 4.3 overs. These figures are testimony to how the player has grown over the years.
“I have trained very hard and grown a lot as a player due to the different leagues I have been playing lately. I have become a much more intelligent player, not throwing my wicket away but rather assessing the situation and adapting to it,” he said.
Inspired by Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar as well as locals Shalako Groenewald and Gerrie Snyman, De Gouveia said signing for Alvanley means a lot for Namibian cricket as it shows that there is hope for other young players to get similar opportunities, especially those who came through the ranks.
“It will not only give exposure to Namibia as a country but also for cricket in Namibia. Other young players in Namibia will hopefully also aspire to go abroad and improve their skills.”
“Cricket Namibia is really doing some good work with the youth development structures that have allowed many players to come through the system. More must be done to keep building on this foundation. We need to all keep working hard for the future.”
He hopes to play either in Australia or New Zealand after his contract with Alvanley expires in September.
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