Photo Credit: SA20 League
From the grassbanks of Centurion to out in the middle in less than a year.
New Pretoria Capitals all-rounder Matthew Boast cannot contain his excitement ahead of Betway SA20 Season 2.
Boast, who is still only 20-years-old, was the central focus of a bidding war that erupted at the Betway SA20 auction last week in Johannesburg.
The youngster’s base price was just R175 000, but it quickly escalated with the Capitals and Joburg Super Kings raising their paddles furiously in a bid to claim the former South African U19 star.
Ultimately, it was the Capitals who brought the former Hilton College learner to Centurion for R1.6 million.
“I am just so excited to be joining the Pretoria Capitals next year in the SA20,” Boast said.
“Going to games at the beginning of this year at Centurion was really cool. I can’t wait to be a part of it next year. It’s such a privilege. I can’t wait to show everyone what I’ve got and contribute to the team.
“I am also excited to learn from all the senior players and coaches. I think they are an awesome bunch of people. I am gonna try and be like a sponge and take in as much as I can. Hopefully, at the end of the season, we can lift the trophy as a team. That’s the goal!”
Boast had a taste of the Betway SA20 last season when he was called up to bowl in the nets to the likes of England internationals Phil Salt, who has rejoined the Capitals as a Wildcard, and Will Jacks along with Proteas Men’s T20 superstar Rilee Rossouw.
It was during this period that Boast caught the eye of Pretoria Capitals assistant coach and Proteas legend Jacques Kallis.
“We got a good look at Matthew last season when he bowled to us in the nets and we were really impressed with him there. He bowls with good pace and with the bat he gives it a good smack as well,” Kallis said.
“What better way for South African cricket to move forward than for these youngsters to work with world-class coaches and get the Rookies involved.”
Although Boast has limited senior provincial experience, having only played two T20 matches for the Titans previously, he showed his value with both bat and ball during the SA U19’s victorious Cricket SA Provincial Division 2 T20 Cup last season.
Boast finished as the T20 Cup’s overall second-highest scorer with 143 runs at an average of 28.20 with an amazing strike-rate of 180.76.
He was equally impressive with the ball, claiming nine wickets at 14.22 and an economy rate of 6.40, to also finish second on the overall wicket-takers table.
