Batsman Stubbs eager for more opportunities at international level
Dafabet Warriors allrounder Tristan Stubbs hopes to continue riding the wave that has seen him go from a relatively unknown domestic cricketer to one of the most sought-after young batsmen in the limited overs leagues around the world.
His hard work and dedication over the last 18 months have resulted in him receiving the highest honour for any cricketer when he was selected for the South African team.
While he may have had a slow start to his international career, scoring just 173 runs in 13 innings, all the signs were there that he is one to look out for in the not-too-distant future. This was shown in his first international innings when he made 72 at better than a run a ball against England in July.
He also represented the Proteas in the recently concluded Twenty20 World Cup in Australia and despite the team not getting the results they would have liked, the righthander said it was an experience he would cherish.
Stubbs said he was still coming to grips with his rise through the ranks.
“I think I am still trying to process everything that has gone on in the recent while,” he said.
“It has just been one tournament after the other for pretty much the last 12 to 18 months; it has been an awesome ride and hopefully it can continue.”
Speaking about the T20 World Cup, Stubbs said despite the disappointment of being dumped out of the competition before the knockout phase, it was an experience that taught him a lot about his own game.
“For me personally it was an awesome experience; you have the best players on the planet in the same place at the same time and to be able to represent your country at that level was pretty special.
“Making 150 in the IPL or The Hundred (in England) and you don’t really think about defending it. But if you make 150 in a World Cup, it could be a pretty good score.
“Those are the standards and the pressure that come with every game at that level.”
Another feather in his fledgling career was when the Sunrisers Eastern Cape purchased the devastating batsman for R9.2-million for the inaugural SA20 early next year.
Being based in Gqeberha and playing much of his domestic cricket at St George’s Park, Stubbs said he was looking forward to performing in front of the city’s cricket-loving public.
While he was happy to land a contract with the Gqeberha-based side, he said would not have been upset if he had been snapped up for the Mumbai Indians, who he represented in the IPL this year.
“I have not yet had the privilege of working with head coach Adrian Birrell, but I have heard a lot of good things about him and I cannot wait to start working with him, the former Grey High pupil said.