Bermuda cricketers OJ Pitcher and Delyone Borden will have memories aplenty when they return from their current trip to South Africa.

The St.David?s all-rounders, currently immersed in cricket studies at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University International Cricket Academy in Port Elizabeth, witnessed first-hand South African skipper Graeme Smith score a maiden One-Day International (ODI) century against England recently.

And it was an experience that both players will long remember as South Africa defeated England by three wickets to even the best-of-five series, which the hosts wrapped up with a fourth victory yesterday.

Skipper Smith led his team from the front, smashing 105 runs from 131 balls including nine fours at St.George?s Park, the oldest cricket ground in the region.

However, in terms of studies, week four at the academy was business as usual for the young Bermudians ? intense physical workouts and simulated cricket drills.

?It?s been a lot of hard work that we have had to do and it is really paying off,? said Pitcher. ?And you can notice the difference as each week goes by.

?We?re doing a lot of training with both ball and bat. And Kepler Wessels (former Test player) has been working with us individually on our batting techniques and balance.?

The Bermudians have also been put through their paces in the gym.

Despite heavy rain in South Africa recently, mother nature has failed to disrupt the cricket programme.

The local pair have been lectured by former South African Test player Daryll Cullinan ? reportedly on Bermuda Cricket Board?s shortlist for new national coach ? on ways of improving their game while Dave Emslie, CEO of Eastern Province cricket, also spent time with the players explaining the structures within South Africa and Eastern Province cricket.

All the academy students have been able to venture out to the middle for practical sessions which provide them opportunities to bat, bowl and field in simulated match situations while working on any technical flaws.

Last week saw Pitcher and Borden visit Bellingham & Smith cricket bat factory where they had the opportunity to watch the making of cricket bats.

Now in the second half of the eight-week course, Pitcher and Borden will finally receive a chance to put some of their new-found knowledge to the test this week during two matches.

?We are looking forward to playing on Tuesday and Wednesday. This will provide us with an opportunity to put into practice the new techniques that we have learned,? commented Borden.

?It will also give us an opportunity to judge our playing abilities against other students here in attendance at the academy.?