Ethan Holmes focused on representing UAE Cricket team

Denzil Pinto 11:43 05/07/2015
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  • The stylish Ethan Holmes wants to make it to UAE U-19 squad.

    Having missed out last year, aspiring batsman Ethan Holmes is det-ermined to go one better and make the UAE’s U-19 final squad this summer.

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    The South African-born cricketer failed to make the final party which travelled to Kuwait last November for the ACC U-19 Premier League. But the 18-year-old has put that setback behind him and is hoping it is second time lucky this year. 

    “It was quite hard to take, but life goes on,” he said. “When you don’t make it, it’s quite tough but you have to work even harder to make it the next time.”

    Having impressed in the inter-emirate trials in April, Holmes is part of the 25-man squad for the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Greens which is competing in the ACE-Pan Global Ramadan Trophy.

    Performances in that on-going T20 tournament and the month-long training camp at Dubai’s ICC Academy will be assessed before the ECB name their final 18 that will travel to Kuala Lumpur for the ACC Premier Cup in August.

    "There’s still some games to go as well as the training camp, but I will give it my best."

    In ECB Greens’ last game at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Holmes staked his claim with a splendid 42-run knock from 39 balls to guide his team to a two-wicket victory. “It’s good to be around very good players in the ECB Greens team as I have to work hard and that in itself motivates you as we are all working hard for positions,” said Holmes.

    “Overall it’s been a good experience so far and it’s not over yet. There’s still some games to go as well as the training camp, but I will give it my best.”

    Despite being born in South Africa, Holmes insists it will be an honour to represent the UAE, a country he has lived in since 2007. 

    “This is where I live at the moment and I want to represent the UAE,” he said. “This country has been my home for ages. The UAE has been good to me and if I can wear the UAE shirt I will certainly feel proud. I want to give something back to the country.”

    "As a cricketer, you always want to broaden your horizons and learn more."

    If he does don the national jersey, it would be a special achievement given that he only resumed playing cricket in 2009.

    “I played cricket when I was young in South Africa but when I came to Abu Dhabi in 2007 I found it hard to find any cricket facilities so I stopped the sport and played football instead,” he said. “When my family moved to Dubai two years later, I took up cricket again. I then joined the ICC Academy as they are one of the top academies in the UAE and I have really developed there.

    “I’ve learnt you need to adapt to different conditions and I’ve certainly learnt how to play spin, because it’s very rare in South Africa.”

    He is now hoping to study sports therapy and injury rehabilitation in Worcester University. Yet, he still plans to return to Dubai during holidays so he can play for the UAE.

    He said: “I will try to play for the university team if I can. As a cricketer, you always want to broaden your horizons and learn more.”

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