At an age that most youngsters are mesmerised by toys and playing in the dirt, Fort Hare student Lihle Sizani fell in love with the game of cricket.
It was the four-year-old’s grandfather who planted the seed when he put a bat and ball in his hands along with a few pointers.
With those basics firmly in place, he took a particular liking to the neighbourhood kids’ bowling, clobbering the ball to all parts of Sheshegu.
Eighteen years on, the top-order batsman has grown in stature to captain the First XI of the UFH-CSA Academy team, which is based in Alice, a cricket ball’s throw from his home village.
He also frustrates bowling attacks as a regular member of the Eastern Cape Iinyathi Colts, whom he has led. In addition, the 22-year-old has made two first-class appearances for the senior Border team.
Academy coach Burton de Wett believed the third-year player had never been in a better place mentally and expected him to make a serious impact at provincial level sooner rather than later.
Sizani, who found himself batting in the middle-order when he began his tenure at the Academy, has since developed into a quality No 3.
The library and information student wholeheartedly agreed with his mentor’s assessment about the state of his game.
UFH-CSA Academy captain Lihle Sizani is hitting form at just the right time in his career. Photo: Full Stop Communications
“I’m in the right space mentally this season,” he said.
“I learnt a lot from the past season. I saw where I was lacking and have tried to improve myself in all aspects of my game.”
As is the case with everyone who bats at first-drop, great powers of concentration and mental fortitude are required at the crease.
Sizani is very much the player you want at your beck and call when the first opener departs the scene. He keeps a solid base as the bowler runs in and constantly reminds himself to watch the ball.
“Mentally, it’s about wanting to score runs and having a clear game plan on how I’m going to approach my innings.”
He is also coming of age as a leader as he embraces the modern style of captaincy that places more focus on what makes individual players tick.
It was about understanding his teammates’ personalities and acknowledging that not everyone was the same, Sizani gave insight into his way of thinking.
“I’m also a welcoming person. I have some kind of friendship with each player.
“When it comes to game time, I do my best to make sure that every player gets to express himself. I’m also open to listening to their opinions.”
Sizani was particularly proud of the exploits of former Academy and Iinyathi teammate Nqaba Peter, who had burst onto the international scene as a member of the Proteas.
Having watched the young leggie, who only graduated from the UFH-CSA cricket school last year, excel on the world stage has motivated him to up his own game.
“It just shows that with hard work and dedication your sporting life can change within the blink of an eye.”
His intention is now to score a mountain of runs at Colts level so that he can establish himself in the senior Iinyathi side. From there, it will take more of the same until he reaches the highest level of the game.
The batsman had nothing by the highest praise for his mentors at the Academy, where they were taught to train like professionals.
He was especially grateful to Border Cricket coordinator Loyiso Sibaca, who gave him the opportunity to be part of their set-up.
Not forgetting coaches De Wett and Zizipho Siduli “for understanding my skills more than I understand them myself” and for pushing him to be both a better cricketer and person.
“Lastly, I would like to thank [team manager] Gcobisa Kanuka for helping when it comes to my academics [at UFH].”