LISTEN: Former Saints cricketer is off the Marques at the Lions

Marques Ackerman (21) is the latest St Stithians Boys’ College alumni to join the bizhub Highveld Lions cricket franchise.

Following in the footsteps of recent alumni who have played for the Proteas, Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder, Ackerman has joined the ranks of Joburg’s franchise in hopes of leaving a mark in their Ram Slam T20 Challenge campaign, and one day playing for the Proteas.

The former SA U19 cricketer is a left-handed middle-order batsman and right-arm off-spinner.

Listen to Marques Ackerman:

“I see myself as someone who can hold an innings together and still score at a high strike rate, so hopefully I can contribute as much as I can,” he said, adding that it was a great experience being in a team with so many quality cricketers.

“Whatever has gotten me here has worked. So I work hard on my game plan and don’t try change much. I prepare well before games and hope it pays off.”

He said St Stithians played a big role in his development as a cricketer, especially head of cricket Wim Jansen and coach Bongani Ndaba.

His cricket heroes growing up were JP Duminy and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara.

Having matriculated from Saints in 2014, Ackerman is currently in his third year of studying human movement sciences and psychology at North-West University in Potchefstroom.

He plays for North West Dragons normally, but recently made the step up to franchise cricket for the Lions for their Ram Slam campaign.

Ackerman made his debut for the Lions in their eight-wicket loss against the Multiply Titans on 12 November.

On a poor batting scorecard, Ackerman’s 10 off six balls turned out to be the fourth highest score of the innings.

He did not have a chance to bowl, as his fellow spinners were dispatched to the fence by Titans’ AB de Villiers and Albie Morkel.

ALSO READ:

Young saints excel in international cricket 

Also read: Local cricketer Wiaan Mulder earns call-up to the Proteas