Photo Credit: Cricket South Africa
The President, CEO, Board and Members of the Western Province Cricket Association congratulate Tony de Zorzi on his selection for the Proteas Test Squad. The Proteas will face the West Indies in a 2-match Test Series commencing on the 28th February 2023.
In its Press Release, Cricket South Africa commented: “Six Gun Grill Western Province batter Tony de Zorzi earns his maiden Test call-up following an impressive CSA 4-Day Domestic Series campaign for the Division 1 log leaders, having amassed 489 runs at an average of 122.25 at the top of the order.” His 489 runs include the highest-ever score in First Class cricket at Newlands, 304*, scored against the ITEC Knights earlier in the season.
De Zorzi’s career has blossomed since he moved to Cape Town to join the former Cape Cobras franchise at the start of the 2020/21 Season. He is an integral part of the Western Province squad that is challenging for 4-day honours, with de Zorzi’s contributions playing a leading role in the success so far this season, both in the CSA 4-Day Series and the CSA 1-Day Cup.
Michael Canterbury, CEO at Western Province Cricket, congratulated Tony on his achievement: “Tony’s hard work has paid off and he fully deserves his call-up to the Proteas. We back him 100% to make a massive contribution to the national team and wish him well in his debut series against the West Indies”
Western Province Coach Salieg Nackerdien is equally full of praise for his opening batter: “I am ecstatic, very happy that Tony is getting the recognition and all the accolades that goes with it. He worked hard in our winter, leading up to the pre-season and the start of our season. In the 4-day competition and the one-day competition he contributed massively.
I’m very grateful for this opportunity given to him and so happy for him. It is nice to see the guys moving to the next level and specially when it comes from your own Province. It says it says a lot and I trust that this will be a long stint for Tony in the Proteas set-up. We all back him and we know that he can do well. He is exceptionally talented, and I know for a fact that he is a hard worker, leaving no stone unturned. He will make the most of the opportunity he has been given. All of the players and management (at Western Province) wish Tony all the best against the Windies, hope and trust that all will go well and definitely that he will enjoy it.”
Proteas Test squad against the West Indies
Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Gerald Coetzee (ITEC Knights), Tony de Zorzi (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Dean Elgar (Momentum Multiply Titans), Simon Harmer (Momentum Multiply Titans), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Senuran Muthusamy (North West Dragons), Anrich Nortje (Dafabet Warriors), Keegan Petersen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions).
