Runcorn thrilled to recruit South African starlet Grobbelaar for 2017

RUNCORN Cricket Club believe they have signed a star in the making as their overseas player for 2017.

South African youngster Jordan Grobbelaar will join the Moughland Lane club next summer with the 18-year-old signing a one year deal to play in the UK Fast Cheshire Cricket League.

Grobbelaar plays his cricket at the leading Crusaders Club in Durban where he broke into their first-team last season.

He already has plenty of representative experience having played for Natal age groups for the past four years and has been selected in the Natal U19 squad in the national competition next month. A left-handed top order batsman, Grobbelaar is also a right-arm opening seam bowler.

A product of Glenwood High School, he has been his school’s first XI cricket captain in his final school year which ends this month.

He has bright prospects and designs on pushing to the highest level, including South Africa U19s selection and with a top score of 127 not out and best bowling of 5-7, Runcorn are convinced he will be a great asset.

Cricket chairman, Rob Beech, said: “Jordan is a exciting signing for us.

“He is young, hungry and perfectly fits the profile of the type of player we are looking for. Jordan has scored 2000 runs in the last three seasons and has also taken over 100 wickets in the same period of time.

“He has established himself at one of South Africa’s leading clubs, is a natural leader and has a South Africa U19 call up as his main target.

“Importantly for us, he already has experience coaching younger players and is keen to share that side of his cricket knowledge with our junior age group players.”

Grobbelaar, who comes from Durban, is a product of the Natal system which was also responsible foe the development of two of Runcorn’s previous overseas players from 2014 and 2015, Karl Marais and Jarryd Philips.

Beech added: “Both Jarryd and Karl were a great to us with our search for the right player and they recommended Jordan to us.

“In turn, they were also able to give Jordan an insight into they enjoyed their time with us.”

Grobbelaar said: “I am excited and grateful to be given the opportunity to be a part of Runcorn Cricket Club for the 2017 season.

“I will try my best to be and hope to be an asset on and off the field.

“I have had a great welcome already from the club’s members across social media and am really looking forward to arriving next April.” ● The club’s AGM will be held tomorrow starting at 8.30pm. ● South African Jordan Grobbelaar will be Runcorn Cricket Club’s overseas player for the 2017 season.