Heino Kuhn boosts North-West ahead of new season
"I see a lot of new names in the squad so hopefully I can bring some knowledge and experience to the group," said one of the franchise era's most prolific run-scorers.
Former Proteas opener Heino Kuhn, seen here in action for Kent, will join North-West later this year. Picture: James Chance/Getty Images
When the North-West cricket team return to the top division of domestic cricket in October, they’ll have good reason to believe their batting line-up is not going to be knocked over cheaply thanks to the acquisition of one of the most admired batsmen of the franchise era.
Heino Kuhn was the fifth highest run-getter in the history of franchise cricket, his 7,209 runs at 40.50 for the Titans putting him behind only Stephen Cook (8,678), Andrew Puttick (7,832), Justin Ontong (7,583) and Neil McKenzie (7,263).
The 37-year-old is still a prolific run-scorer and he averaged 67.33 for Kent in county cricket last year.
Kuhn will provide some invaluable quality and experience to the North-West top-order batting, along with Lions star Nicky van den Bergh. They are the standout names in the batting line-up, which boasts some quality all-rounders in Senuran Muthusamy, Delano Potgieter and Dwaine Pretorius, and an exciting, explosive batsman in Wesley Marshall, who has tasted success at franchise level despite limited opportunities with the Titans and Lions.
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“North-West has great facilities in Potchefstroom and because it’s a new franchise that will bring new challenges. I see a lot of new names in the squad so hopefully I can bring some knowledge and experience to the group. But I am excited to be playing with some young guys,” Kuhn said on Friday.
“As you know, I don’t change the way I play, so if I’m the only experienced batsman or there’s five experienced batsmen around me, I will play the same way – be positive and bat with intent.
“I don’t really know how the new structure will work, but all I know is that we are in the First Division and together with Nicky and the coaching staff we will do whatever we can to win trophies and stay there.”
Muthusamy’s arrival from Durban, where his left-arm spin and solid batting played a key role in the Dolphins’ triumphant season, is another major acquisition for North-West. They have also lured the promising left-arm quick Duan Jansen back from Bloemfontein to his birthplace, and he will join former Lions stars Eldred Hawken and Nono Pongolo in a useful seam attack. – Ken Borland
