Jonker all pumped up for big T20 test
Warriors star to make his mark in Global league
WARRIORS batsman Christiaan Jonker is relishing the opportunity to announce himself on the world stage when he plays in the inaugural Global T20 Canada league later this month.
Jonker, 31, has been drafted by the Edmonton Royals in his first international gig and will team up with countryman Wayne Parnell at the franchise for the tournament that starts on June 28 and runs for 18 days until July 15.
The tournament features teams from Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton and Winnipeg along with the Caribbean side.
Nicknamed “The Finisher” by his Warriors teammates because of his explosive batting at the death in white ball matches, Jonker will be joined in the tournament by some high quality international players.
Marquee players Shahid Afridi, Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle, Chris Lynn, Lasith Malinga, David Miller, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy and Steve Smith have been spread across five franchises. A Cricket West Indies representative side will make up the sixth team.
Also in the mix are names like Kieron Pollard, David Warner, Luke Ronchi, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal and Tim Southee. The other South African playing in the tournament is Lions batsman Rassie van der Dussen.
Jonker has been a consistent performer for the Warriors for a number of seasons and it came as a surprise to some fans when he was not snapped up in the Indian Premier League auction.
He was, however, rewarded for years of performance at domestic franchise level with a T20 international cap for the Proteas against India last summer. He impressed against the tourists making 49 off only 24 balls.
He now gets his first opportunity to test himself against the bigger names in world cricket
“Obviously that T20 International I played for South Africa was a bit too late, it came after the IPL auction,” said Jonker.
“But I’m glad to be picked for Global T20 Canada, it (the innings against India) obviously worked in my favour and I got selected for this tournament.
“I’m really excited ahead of the event. It will be my first time in Canada. I hope it all works out well.”
One of Edmonton Royals’ marquee players is Shahid Afridi and Jonker believes he will be able to feed off the Pakistani’s vast experience.
“There are some high-profile players and some of them even come from the IPL. Just being in a team with Shahid Afridi, I’m sure I’ll be able to learn a lot from him. I can’t wait to be a part of this team.
“At least I’ll have a familiar face around. I get along well with Parnie and hopefully we can combine well and do the best for the team.”
Jonker, who has ambitions of playing more white ball cricket for the Proteas, is hoping to make selection for the Sri Lankan tour next month. South Africa will play five ODIs and one T20 on their tour of the subcontinent island.
“Sri Lanka is coming up as well so hopefully I’ll be in that squad. I want to be physically and mentally strong for that tour.
“I’m also keeping my options open for the one-day squad as well. I don’t just want to be a T20 specialist. I want to play one-dayers too.”