Warriors’ Ackermann tops Sunfoil Series batting
THE Sunfoil Series season reached the halfway stage at the weekend, with Colin Ackermann and Duanne Olivier topping the batting and bowling charts respectively.
Right-hander Ackermann has been central to the Warriors’ change of fortunes this season after notching 499 runs so far – an average of 55.44.
The former South Africa U19 batsman, who has been batting mainly at No 3, has recorded two centuries and two fifties from his four matches, to sit just ahead of Khaya Zondo in terms of aggregate runs.
The Dolphins No 5 batsman has accumulated 494 runs at an average of 82.33, including a career-best franchise score of 157 at the weekend to go with four half-centuries. Only one other batsman has crossed the 400-run mark, new Knights captain Theunis de Bruyn.
He has 423 runs at an average of 60.42, with one century and three 50s.
The averages, however, are topped by rising Titans star Aiden Markram, 22.
He has enjoyed a dream start to franchise cricket, with an average of 118 from his three innings to date.
Markram has already recorded two centuries and a fifty, with his performances a key reason for his team topping the series standings heading into the break.
On the bowling front, Olivier has been in blistering form, with 28 wickets to date.
The Knights paceman has three five-wicket hauls, including a best return of 6/60, for an average of 21.60.
He is six wickets clear of his closest challengers, Lions fast bowler Hardus Viljoen and Dolphins medium-pacer Robbie Frylinck, both on 22.
All three bowlers have played five games each.
Olivier’s Knights teammate, Marchant de Lange, has had a good start to life in Bloemfontein, with 21 wickets to be next in line, followed by Malusi Siboto, who moved to the Titans during the winter, on 20.
In terms of the Sunfoil competition itself, all the early signs point towards an intriguing contest ahead.
Less than 10 points separate the top five teams, with defending champions the Titans (59.74) leading the way from the Knights (55.20), Warriors (54.80), Dolphins (54.58) and the Lions (50.14).
All five franchises have two wins so far this season with the sixth-placed Cobras yet to get off the mark.