Ongama Gcwabe
THERE is just something about the new generation of cricketers emerging from the Western Province team that just draws spectators around the world to like them.
They have an aura about them that is just hard to ignore. They are confident, wear their hearts on their sleeves and are always up for a battle.
In South Africa’s first Test match against the West Indies in Trinidad, it was the charismatic Tony de Zorzi who displayed these qualities the most with an almost flawless first innings of 78 and 45 in the second innings. During his first dig, he was free-flowing and was timing the ball to perfection, traits one would not expect from a batter opening for the first time in Test cricket or one playing in just his third Test series.
Be it the world-class Kemar Roach that was steaming in at him, the young Jayden Seales or the experienced Jason Holder, De Zorzi remained steadfast and hardly broke a sweat as he took the Windies bowlers to the cleaners.
“I thought my performances were good. I think in both innings I played with decent intent,” De Zorzi reflected.
“Aiden (Markram) and I’s second-innings partnership got the team off to a good start and allowed guys like (Tristan) Stubbs to come in and express themselves, which is what we want. Ultimately, it was a good performance from the team and I think I should have kicked (on) from the 70 I scored but I was happy I could contribute.”
The left-handed batter was filling the big boots of former captain and opening batter Dean Elgar, who retired last summer. And boy did he make his mark as the next Test opener with his second career half-century.
Perhaps the only downside from De Zorzi’s first dig as an opener was how he went out, gloving an attempted reverse sweep to the slip cordon to gift the hosts a soft wicket. The 26-year-old fell a few runs short of a century once again as he did on his debut when he scored 85 against the same team in Centurion.
“It (a maiden Test century) will come when it’s supposed to,” De Zorzi said.
“I’m doing the work that’s intended for me to get it and I’m comfortable with my game. Hopefully next time it just doesn’t hit my gloves and I’ll get over the line.
“My mindset is ‘you’re here now so you’ve got to trust yourself and back what you’ve done to get here’. I don’t think I have to try to reinvent the wheel in my game plan.
“I just try to stick to that for as long as possible, sometimes just being able to make small adjustments according to the wickets.
“This wicket is completely different to something I would play on at Newlands or back home in SuperSport Park. So, it’s about being comfortable enough to make a small change and just trusting it.”
Alongside De Zorzi near the top of the batting order is yet another youngster, newly appointed Test No 3 Stubbs.
Having been dismissed twice in the same day on debut against India at Newlands during the New Year’s Test, the 24-year-old Stubbs has been able to bounce back with a second-innings half-century in his second Test in Port of Spain.
De Zorzi believes that Stubbs is talented enough to have a long and successful Test career.
“With regards to Stubbs, he’s one of the most talented guys that I’ve played with. There was no real doubt in my mind that eventually he would come right,” said De Zorzi.
“He’s one of those guys that can play all the formats and I think he’s a real talent. This probably gave him relief as well just so that he could have that same feeling that he knows he belongs in the format.
“I’m sure he’s going to be pretty exciting going forward and he’ll be able to develop different ways of playing. I don’t think he’ll only be a guy that hits. He’s got a solid technique and hits the ball very late. As he gets older and more comfortable, he’s going to thrive,” he added.
The second and final Test in the series between South Africa and the West Indies is set to get under way tomorrow in Georgetown, Guyana.