NW Cricket’s Ackerman to lead SA Franchise Academy side

North West Cricket’s Marques Ackerman was in the form of his life with the bat for the Lions Franchise during the recent CSA Academy Week that was held from 14-17 March in Potchefstroom.

Ackerman duly was named the Batsman of the Tournament for his 261 runs at a mind boggling average of 130.5. This achievement was further enhanced when he was named captain of the South Africa Franchise Academy XI.

The SA XI will compete in the CSA Future Cup against the SA University XI and the SA Rural XI from 8 to 10 April 2016 in Kimberley.

The Franchise Academy Week gives players the opportunity to impress and stake their claim for a place in CSA’s Senior Provincial and Professional levels.

Ackerman already impressed on the first day of the week where he smashed hit 124 runs from 117 deliveries in the Lions’match against the Cape Cobras. The left-handed Ackerman combined stylish technique and brutal hitting to compile a magnificent century.

Ackerman is delighted with the selection and feels that he has grown from the experience he had in the same tournament the previous year.

“This year I had more experience under my belt and my game has grown a lot. It was great to play in familiar surroundings in Potchefstroom and that helped a bit. The captaincy is also an added bonus. It was fantastic to be part of the Lions setup during the tournament and we enjoyed playing together,” he said.

Five Lions players were selected for the SA XI which underlines the team’s strength in depth.

He believes that the upcoming CSA Future Cup will be another opportunity to knock on the door of the provincial and franchise teams.

“I just want to continue playing like I do and keep enjoying my cricket,” he added.

Batsman of the Tournament – Marques Ackerman

Bowler of the Tournament – Smangaliso Nhebela

SA Franchise Academy XI

Marques Ackerman (bizhub Highveld Lions, captain), Ottneil Baartman (Cape Cobras), Khalipha Cele (Sunfoil Dolphins), Luke Schlemmer (Sunfoil Dolphins), Smangaliso Nhlebela (Sunfoil Dolphins), Stefan Taite (Warriors), Grant Roelofsen (bizhub Highveld Lions), Findo Mdiza (bizhub Highveld Lions), Farhaan Sayanvala (bizhub Highveld Lions), Nandré Burger (bizhub Highveld Lions), Paballo Mogoera (VKB Knights), Stefan Klopper (The Unlimited Titans), Hector Ngobeni (The Unlimited Titans).