Assupol TuksCricket wants to end centenary celebrations with a third USSA victory
The formidable Tuks cricket team will try to win their third consecutive University Sport South Africa title next week.
Even though 2019 might be in its death throes, it does not mean the Assupol TuksCricket team’s hunt for trophies has come to an end.
The team got one more title to defend. It is USSA’s. If they succeed, it will be a fantastic end to Assupol Tuks’s centenary celebrations. The team already got the Varsity as well International Red Bull Campus Cricket Tournament titles to its name.
Sean Gilson who ended up being the leading wicket-taker during the Varsity Tournament, ascribed their success to a never say die attitude.
“We hate losing that is why whenever we play a final, we will fight up to the very last ball has been bowled. Credit should also go to our coaches. They believe in leaving absolutely nothing to chance. Often during practice, they will get us to re-enact specific match scenarios,” said Gilson.
The one thing Gilson relishes is the battle between him as a spin bowler and the opposition’s batsman. According to him, it often becomes a mind game.
“I try and get a batsman, doubt his abilities. To do so, I got to keep them guessing as to what delivery I am going to bowl next.”
The Varsity Tournament statistics prove that when Gilson is on sung, the wickets will fall. In eight games he took 16 wickets at an average of 9.1 which is not too shabby in anyone’s books.
Of lately, Gilson seems to be quite handy with the bat in hand also. During the last few club games, he notched up scores of 70, 80 and even 90’s.
Last year the 20-year-old took a gap year to play cricket for Great Brickhill in England. He considers the challenge of having to adapt to slightly different playing conditions as something that is going to stand him to good stead.
“If the opportunity should arise, I would love to play in England again at some stage. But for now, my focus is on proving myself in South Africa.”
The USSA Tournament is being played from 2 – 6 December at Wits. Assupol Tuks won the title consecutively over the last two years. Last year they beat the University of the Western Cape in the final.
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