Date-stamped : 21 Feb97 - 14:17 20 February 1997 Soweto streets alive with bat on ball Guy Hawthorne Rugby and soccer are caught up in scandalous rows, but South African cricket continues to wow new supporters from all sectors of the population. In yet another significant step along their path of progress, the United Cricket Board of SA (UCBSA) will oversee a one-day match between Mark Taylor`s Australians and a Transvaal Invitation XI at the Soweto Cricket Club next Tuesday. "If I look at my personal involvement in cricket administration over the years, I believe the sport is for the first time making a significant impact on the black community," said UCBSA MD Ali Bacher. "I don`t have market research to back up my argument, but I have heard and seen enough to realise that there is a terrific aware- ness of cricket among all the people of South Africa. I went for a run at the weekend and between eight and 10 black people stopped me on the street to talk about cricket. And more and more people are phoning in to our offices to enquire about forthcoming matches." Whereas previously soccer was the predominant street sport in the townships around South Africa, impromptu games of cricket have become a familiar sight. "Kids in Soweto, Alexandra and other townships are now playing street cricket. They adopt the identity of their heroes like Jonty Rhodes, Allan Donald and Hansie Cronje. It is no longer only the Doc Khumalos and Shoes Moshoeus who are being emulated. "It is against this background that visits to the townships by international teams are of great significance. These sort of matches will be staged with more regularity in the years to come to further promote the fast-growing popularity of cricket in the townships," said Bacher. "To be able to watch the likes of Mark and Steve Waugh and Shane Warne in action in their own backyard is a big thrill to the residents of Soweto." The Bacher`s domestic servant who, in 10 previous years of employment had shown little interest in crick- et, has suddenly expressed the urge to attend a match at the Wanderers. "That is an indication of how far-reaching our promotion campaign is. We have always said we wanted cricket to be a sport for all the people and I think we`re making impressive strides in that direction," said Bacher. "It is also important that the top players from Transvaal are seen playing in Soweto, but the invitation side will also include a sprinkling of young cricketers who have come through the development programme." Source :: The Star Contributed by Tony Hassett (hassett@cricinfo.com)