Former St Stithians Boys’ College cricket captain, Wiaan Mulder (19) played in his first match for the South African national cricket team, the Proteas, on 22 October.
He was selected for the squad for South Africa’s remaining two one-day international (ODI) matches against Bangladesh, replacing injured fellow all-rounder, Wayne Parnell.
Mulder completed matric last year and since then the youngster has performed well with bat and ball for the Joburg-based bizhub Highveld Lions team. He has also captained the SA U19 cricket team, for which he earned recognition at the Gauteng Cricket Board’s 2017 awards dinner.
In his first ODI for the Proteas, Mulder did his part for the team in their 200-run win.
Also read: ‘Joburg’s cricket teams run out with awards’
Bowling right-arm seam, he trapped Mohammad Mahmudullah leg-before-wicket and finished his bowling spell with one wicket for a miserly 32 runs in eight overs.
Mulder did bat, but came in late in the innings for the Proteas at number seven, and only scored two runs off four balls before being given out leg-before to Taskin Ahmed.
Speaking to the Sandton Chronicle, Mulder said the call-up was a ‘dream come true’.
“I am obviously stoked, it is really a dream come true to be honest and hasn’t quite settled [sic] in yet,” he said. “I don’t quite know what my role in the side will be but my aim is to do my best for the team.”
Saints cricket director, Wim Jansen said Mulder was one of the most humble people he had met.
“I remember when he came to his interview with the school in Grade 7. He was barefoot,” Jansen said.
“Wiaan is so humble and doesn’t blow his trumpet. He was a good academic as well. He still comes to the school now and again to hit balls with his old coach, Peter Stringer.”
Jansen added that Mulder must not let the occasion get to him when he started playing more regularly for the Proteas.
“Wiaan must be Wiaan. He must play and we must give him time to adjust.”
Also read: Saints ready to march to the wicket in new season
Do you know of sports stories you would like us to publish? Let us know on our Facebook page.
