Cricket: Teenager Rezza set for WCL debut

Rezza Gaznavi will make his World Cricket League (WCL) debut for Singapore next month.

The promising 19-year-old national serviceman is among 14 players selected to represent Singapore at the Pepsi ICC WCL Division 4 in Kuala Lumpur from Sept 3 to 10.

Said the former Combined Schools captain: “I am elated to be in the squad. This is my first WCL and I know it is going to be tough.

“There is always learning to be done and this tournament will be beneficial in my desire to lift my game.

“Whether I play in the first 11 or not is not an issue with me. But seeing the players do well as a team is more important than any individual achievement.”

New level

Rezza, who played for the country in all age-groups and the national team, praised Australian coach Trevor Chappell for taking his game to a new level.

He said: “I have benefited a lot from coach Trevor. He has the knack for keeping things simple. He is a thorough professional, and is proof that you get what you want through hard work.”

Rezza had been in the squad of 18 for the last WCL event and had taken one year off school in 2009 after his O Levels to explore training cricket.

Selection committee chairman Wong Hoe Sang said that his panel (the other members being Nantha Kumar, David Jones and Mahmood Gaznavi) left the selection decision to coach Chappell as the Australian has been fully aware of Singapore cricket for the past few years.

Said Chappell: “I was given the task to select the 14 plus four reserves. I used allmycricket judgment to put together a combination capable of qualifying for the next level.

“In my opinion this is the best 14, taking into account the various needs of the team. The criteria used were ability, attitude and potential.”

On Rezza, Chappell said: “Rezza has been a most talented young player for Singapore. He is most ready among the young players.

“I also noted that all coaches and managers who had been in charge when Rezza played in the different tournaments have unanimously singled him out as a player with a good cricket brain and a complete team man.

“Rezza is also an excellent fielder and a good batsman.”

Singapore will compete against the United States, Denmark, Tanzania, Nepal and traditional rivals Malaysia.

The top two teams gain promotion to Division 3 for a tournament next year in Bermuda.

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