HEATH Naughton said there were times he had to pinch himself.
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Standing next to Allan Donald discussing cricket in general, being belted out of the nets by Hashim Amla or just sharing the run up with some of the Proteas best.
Naughton was among the 12 bowlers Cricket Albury Wodonga sent to Canberra last weekend to bolster net sessions for the Irish and world No. 2 South Africa ahead of today’s World Cup clash.
A session on an oval at Ginnindera with the Irish on Saturday was followed by morning and afternoon sessions on Sunday with both teams.
“It was just a great experience, just awesome,” Naughton said.
“Both sides had their best in the nets — it was a full session on Saturday about four hours and then on Sunday it was three hours against the South Africans on Sunday morning and about the same to the Irish in the afternoon.
“It just depended on what the batsmen wanted — we had a couple of left armers who they used a lot against Ireland because the South Africans have Wayne Parnell.
“But the two sides were so polite, so respectful of what we were doing and they couldn’t thank us enough — it was overwhelming at times.”
Naughton said there was no holding back in the net sessions.
“The bowlers are off the long run, the batsmen are cracking the ball all over the place,” he said.
“It is such a high tempo — to get an opportunity to bowl at Amla for 45 minutes is just incredible. Mind you, in that time he would have been on about 400.
“It was just the way he goes about it.
“Mick Walker took his leg stump but everyone just enjoyed the opportunity to rub shoulders with the world’s best even when they were hitting you 150 metres.”
Naughton said they would bring back tips from the world’s best.
“Parnell standing next to Jarryd Hatton and teaching him things about bowling at the end of the game,” he said.
“Dale Steyn showing blokes how to hold the ball.
“Ireland’s coach Phil Simmonds just walking around the field.
“It’s an experience none of us will ever forget.”
It is such a high tempo — to get an opportunity to bowl at Amla for 45 minutes is just incredible. Mind you, in that time he would have been on about 400.
HEATH NAUGHTON
