The batsman misses. Stumps fly through the air. There is a wild celebration. 

That is precisely what mini-cricket is about. Often these stars of tomorrow's passion match those of their heroes. Especially when an all so crucial winning run is scored or a vital wicket goes down. The big difference is that no player will forsake on having fun as well.

Mini-cricket is where it all started for many a top player. It is one of the reasons why Assupol TuksCricket got involved. The club's chairman, Solly Barnard, believes kids must get exposed to the game from a young age.  For this reason, Assupol Tuks and Northerns Cricket have started to host training clinics and tournaments in Mamelodi. 

"I have no doubt that there are many cricket talented players in Mamelodi. The challenge is to find them and to get them excited about the game.

"Mini cricket is an excellent way to lay the foundation of a lifelong interest in the game. But it is about more than that. Even if a youngster ends up deciding cricket is not the game for him or her, their effort would not have been in vain. They would have learned the necessary ball skills that would stand them to good stead in other sports.

"Mini-cricket is also an ideal way to get kids to realise that exercise can be fun. Through playing, they get to learn the importance of being disciplined. It is also exciting to see how some gain in confidence as they start to master the game's finer techniques."

Barnard can't help but get excited when talking about the KFC Mamelodi Regional Festival hosted earlier this year.

"We had well over 250 kids and 40 coaches from schools all around Mamelodi East and West. Over 20 matches were played on the day."

An ultimate dream for Barnard would be if he could set up a "School in Box" project at the Mamelodi Campus Sports Grounds. It is, however, a costly project which means he is looking for sponsors. 

"Would it not be fantastic if young players get to play cricket and afterwards they are helped by tutors with any problems they might be experiencing in their school studies?

"In the long run, it would benefit cricket in South Africa if we can get more young players to go to university after they have matriculated. There are many good examples of players who had gone on to play for the Proteas because of the opportunities they got playing university cricket."