KNYSNA CRICKET NEWS - Former Knysna Primary School learner Tristan Stubbs has made his mark on the South African domestic cricket scene in an exciting debut franchise campaign with the Warriors in the CSA T20 Challenge.
Stubbs was training with Eastern Province Cricket when he was suddenly called up to the Warriors squad for the Cricket South Africa (CSA) T20 Challenge in mid-February.
He did not see it coming at all. "It was unexpected, because we hadn't played any cricket beforehand, I was training with EP and on the Friday, I was asked to go to the Warriors practice on the Monday. Then, on the Wednesday I was told I was going, which was very exciting," he said.
Stubbs (20) made his franchise debut against the Dolphins on Sunday 21 February, making his mark immediately with a six off his first ball.
He felt that helped to settle some of his nerves. "It did [help], it also helped that I came in with two overs to go, so I had no other choice but to swing hard." He only scored 10 in that game, but he kicked on in the coming games, scoring a total of 102 runs in the four games he played, which included a tough 37 off 26 balls against the Lions in the play-off game.
While the Warriors ultimately lost the play-off to a very strong, experienced, Protea-laden Lions side, the experience was invaluable.
"It was an awesome experience. Playing with and against the best in the country was very cool. Seeing what the top guys do before games and competing against them was very enjoyable," he said.
"We played an exciting, fearless brand of cricket, so it would have been nice to go all the way, but there are promising signs for the future." His time with the Warriors over for now, Stubbs is back with EP Cricket in a bio-secure bubble for a couple of weeks of cricket.
Getting to know Stubbs
He was born in Johannesburg and his family moved to Knysna when he was eight. He completed his primary school years at Knysna Primary before attending Grey High School. Prior to his move to Grey, he had represented SWD at u.11 and u.13 (twice) levels. He represented Eastern Province for the remaining age groups before being selected for the senior EP squad in January 2020.
He made his first-class debut for EP on 16 January 2020, playing against his initial home union, SWD, in Oudtshoorn.
Stubbs has now played four first-class games for EP, scoring a total of 196 runs at an average of 39,20, with a top score of 105 against KwaZulu-Natal Inland on 13 February 2020.
He has also played three List A matches, with a total of 98 runs and a high score of 82 at an average of 49. He is not only handy with bat in hand, but can also stand in behind the stumps if needed, and can turn his arm over as a part-time off-spinner too.
Growing up, he idolised the likes of AB de Villers and Dale Steyn, while now he has taken a liking to Australian cricketers Pat Cummins and Steve Smith.
"I get called Steve Smith quite a bit because I fidget a lot when I bat," he said. His favourite part about cricket is by far getting to bat, and scoring runs out in the middle.
Stubbs hopes to have a lengthy cricket career, and he will certainly have support from Knysna all the way.
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
