A HEREFORDSHIRE teenager struck an outstanding century for Glamorgan Academy in a pre-season tour to South Africa.
Harry Friend, who lives in Ross-on-Wye, had a very successful trip, scoring 104 as Glamorgan made 230-8 in reply to the KZN Inland Academy’s daunting 370.
The Monmouth School for Boys’ opening batsman also hit an unbeaten 55 against Hilton College Under-16s as Glamorgan completed an eight-wicket triumph after restricting the hosts to 93.
One of the highlights of the trip was watching England men’s thrilling two-run win against South Africa in the second T20 international.
The tour was a wonderful learning experience for 17-year-old Friend and his team-mates, who won one and lost three of their four matches.
“Culturally Harry and the boys had a great time,” said Richard Almond, Head of Talent Development at Glamorgan.
“We went on a safari drive and visited a Zulu cultural village as well as spending a night camping in the African bush, which was an experience the boys will never forget.”
Friend, a Year 12 pupil, is a vital member of the first team at Monmouth School for Boys and took two catches on his debut for the Wales Minor Counties men against Dorset last summer.
A former pupil at Gorsley Goffs Primary School, Friend cut his cricketing teeth at Ross-on-Wye Cricket Club.
Friend, who also represents Wales and Gwent in junior cricket, will be playing for Newport in the South Wales Premier League this season.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here