Star batter silver lining in the gloom
Ackermann on fire for the Warriors
DESPITE finishing bottom of the Sunfoil Series log for the 2016-17 season, it was not all doom and gloom for the Warriors as batsman Colin Ackermann finished top of the runscoring charts.
Ackermann scored an impressive 883 runs in 10 matches and finished 84 runs ahead of the Dolphins’ Vaughn van Jaarsveld and 132 runs ahead of the Knights’ Theunis de Bruyn.
“Finishing top of the runscoring charts wasn’t a goal of mine or really important to me, I just want to put in my best effort for the team and make a positive contribution, but it is a nice achievement to have,” said Ackermann.
The calm and collected former Grey High School pupil was in immaculate form during the series and struck three tons and four half centuries, while batting at a solid average of 51.94.
Ackermann saved his best performance for last as he cracked his highest first-class score of 150 in the Warriors second innings against the Titans this past weekend in helping his team to a competitive total.
“I think my best performance of the season was this past weekend’s effort against the Titans, because we were laying a platform and it is always difficult doing that in the third innings and I had to keep my wicket and put as many runs on the board as I could, so I was happy with my contribution,” said Ackermann.
In the end however, despite Ackermann’s best efforts, the Warriors endured a terrible second half of the four-day season that saw them draw two and lose three of their last five games.
Their match against the Titans was their last chance to pull themselves off the foot of the table, however they were unable to as they fell to a four-wicket defeat.
“It was an unfortunate Sunfoil Series campaign for us, it was very tough and a lot of our games were very close, but we were unable to get some vital wins,” he said.
“It was a magnificent century from Heino Kuhn that took it away from us on the final day.
“We were neck-and-neck going into the last day and Heino was just amazing with the way he batted and in the end won the match for them.”
Looking ahead the Warriors now go into the Momentum One-Day Cup competition this weekend.
The team will be aiming to take their shorter format form gained during the T20 competition in November and December where the Warriors finished as runners-up.
They will start their quest for limited-overs glory against the Lions in Johannesburg on Sunday.
“We are excited for the one-day competition, we won’t dwell on the Sunfoil Series campaign at all and will just be looking forward,” said Ackermann.
“Last year we lost in the semifinals to the Lions, so going into Sunday’s game we will be looking for a bit of revenge.”
The Warriors take on the Lions at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Sunday, live on SuperSport 7 from 10am.