Herald’s 2016 Varsity Cricket team of the tournament

1. Ashley Cupido (UWC)

Cupido was somewhat of an unknown entity before the tournament began but soon hit his straps with a number of ferocious innings, where he smashed the ball to all parts. His match-winning knock of 72 against Kovsies to keep UWC in the tournament was nothing short of brilliant. He also contributed in the semi-final against UJ and gave Tuks a scare in round 6 of the tournament.

A perfect fit to score big in the first few overs.

2.Wihan Lubbe (NWU-Pukke)

Wihan Lubbe is an instant choice in the team of the tournament, having been crowned as the player of the tournament for scoring the most runs (338) with the bat and taking crucial wickets with his off-spin during the tournament. One to look out for in the future.

3. Janneman Malan (NWU Pukke)

The number three position is a tricky one in this lineup as Jones normally occupied this spot for Tuks while Malan opened for Pukke. Malan’s inclusion is a must and number three seems like a good fit for this aggressive player who scored a blistering 97 against UCT and contributed a brilliant 61 against Tuks in the opening match.

4.Evan Jones (Tuks)

The batsman of the tournament needs no introduction. No one could keep up with Jones’s ability to whack the ball to all parts of Potchefstroom. His 113 in the semi-final against Pukke was the only century of the tournament. He also picked up numerous man of the match awards during the week.

5. Zubair Hamza (UWC)

The UWC captain was unlucky in the final as he was out for a first-ball duck. His consistent performance for UWC warrants him this spot in the batting line-up, where his mixture of aggression and technique bodes well for this super-team. Hamza was the main anchor: Nudging the ball around, accumulating runs and giving big hitters the licence to go for their shots.

6. Thomas Kaber (Tuks)

It was a close decision between Kaber and his teammate, Blake Schraader, for a place in the team but, in the end, the former got my vote. His batting prowess revolves around his ability to manipulate the gaps as well as hitting the big shots. His left arm chinaman spin also comes in very handy.

7. Kyle Simmonds (Maties)

Simmonds was one of Maties bright shining lights who, with his left arm spin, kept things tight, which frustrated the batsmen. Maties was unlucky not to make the semis after suffering at the hands of an inspired batting display in the final over against UWC.

8. Roger Arendse (Tuks)

Tuks’s bubbling all-rounder has all the attributes of a fantastic cricket player. He is feisty, aggressive, does not back down from a challenge and seems to get the pressure wickets. More than handy with the bat as well, especially in the latter overs.

9. Vincent Moore (Tuks)

The leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 13 wickets was somewhat expensive but got the breakthrough when needed. His left arm pace brings something different and balances out the pace bowling attack.

10. Keith Dudgeon (UJ)

Dudgeon was one of the standout fast bowlers of the tournament and did the hard yards for UJ in the bowling lineup that operated mostly on spin. One reason why UJ only lost one match was Dudgeon’s ability to pick up one or two early wickets to halt the opposition.

11. JP le Roux (NWU-Pukke)

One of Pukke’s shining lights was JP le Roux who, with his tall and lanky frame, was able to generate great swing in the opening overs.

He was also relatively inexpensive. A coming of age tournament for the young Potchefstroomer.

Twelfth man: Matthew Parks (UWC)