TWO emerging young South African players are aiming high after being signed up for the season by Irvine Cricket Club.

Batsman Koot Pienaar (22) and bowler Bevan Carsle (20) have been drafted in for the Western Division One campaign.

Koot, who hails from the Free State is excited about the opportunity.

He said: "I have been playing cricket for as long as I can remember, since I was very young using a plastic ball and bat. I play First Class cricket with the Free State and am mainly a batsman but also do some off spin bowling when needed. My top achievement so far was making the First Class team with the Free State and also making South African. My move came about through my agent and I was made an offer to come to Irvine.

"I don't know too much about Scottish Cricket but have started watching it. The league is very competitive but we would like to get promoted with the team.

"I want to improve my game in different conditions. One of the main things I like to do is develop the youngsters, we have been out to some schools to do skills work in the Irvine area and also at the cricket club."

Added Koot: " It would be nice to make a career out of cricket - whether it is through playing or coaching as I also have a coaching certificate."

Bevan is originally from Mpumalanga and plays his cricket in Pretoria, close to Kruger National Park.

He told Sportscene: "I have just played school provincial cricket so far. This is my first year overseas and hopefully I will get used to the conditions here. I am a fast bowler and my aim is to take as many wickets as possible.

"We did quite well last year but I am hoping to go a step further and get promotion this year. The standards are good in the league and it should be a good experience, I also enjoy coaching at the schools and the youngsters are really enthusiastic at the club coaching sessions."