HARARE - The ninth edition of the St Georges College Twenty20 tournament begins today with two South African schools having confirmed their participation in the 12-team event.

Hosts St Georges are favourites to lift the title a record five times, while defending champions Churchill, who have won it three times as well as one-time champions St Johns College will have a big say in the tournament.

The Johannesburg schools, St Benedict’s Catholic School and St Johns College have made the trip to Harare.
Local schools Petra, Peterhouse, Lomagundi, Gateway, Falcon, Prince Edward and Christian Brothers College complete the cast.

St Georges College sports director Mini McDonald said, “Our eight years of experience has improved our administration and public appeal.  Fields are in superb condition.  We have as many corporate sponsors as last year in tents. Our re-furbished cricket pavilion is complete and ready for use with a new look and design for spectators and players alike. Top-class umpires are available to officiate.”

St Georges will be hoping to emerge winners of the three-day festival to give their headmaster Brendan Tiernan a befitting farewell.

Tiernan, who is retiring, will be replaced at the famous Harare boys school by outgoing Prince Edward headmaster Kevin Atkinson.

Organiser McDonald paid tribute to the tournament’s partners.

“We have a committee of industrious and experienced parents and staff who spend months organising this event with the support of our main sponsor, CABS, and the generosity of many other willing corporates, businesses and well-wishers,” he said.

“We hope that the many supporters and avid cricket lovers will take this opportunity to come and enjoy the huge schoolboy cricketing talent on show.”