Province opener De Zorzi stuns with 304 not out

LEGENDS of the game have made Newlands their playground since cricketers first turned up at the foot of Table Mountain in their white flannels over 130 years ago.

Graeme Pollock, Eddie Barlow, Barry Richards, Desmond Haynes, Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammed Azharudin, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Ben Stokes and Virat Kohli have all taken guard and thrilled the faithful under the Oaks at some point in their careers.

But none of them have ever managed to achieve an elusive first-class triple-triple century. That honour now belongs solely to Western Province opener Tony de Zorzi after the dreadlocked left-hander struck a masterful 304 not out against the Knights this past weekend.

It was a monumental effort that required over six hours of concentration and immense discipline.

De Zorzi did not offer a single chance during his 381-ball stay at the crease and neither did he appear flustered at any point.

“There is a lot of emphasis on white-ball cricket, but this is the format (first-class) along with 50-over cricket that I have done well in before. I think when I started playing cricket this was the format that really inspired me to love the game,” De Zorzi told IOL Sport.

“I remember waking up really early to watch the guys in Australia, watch JP Duminy score runs on debut, and remember thinking that’s something that I would love to be a part of.”

De Zorzi’s dreams of earning a call-up to the Proteas Test squad can certainly not be too far away.

Since a disappointing start to the four-day season with a duck against his former team, the Titans, at Supersport Park, De Zorzi has followed it up with a 163 (against the Paarl Rocks) and now the undefeated triple-century – both being registered at Newlands where he also struck his previous first-class best of 213 not out back in 2020.

There were many that raised an eye-brow when De Zorzi traded the Titans for a move south to then Cape Cobras almost 18 months ago. The former SA-U19 captain was a regular across all-formats in a power-packed Sky Blues unit and seemed destined for a stellar career at Supersport Park.

“I was doing well at the Titans. But I had spoken to (former Cobras coach) Ashwell (Prince) and seen all the young guys that had come through down here. Jannes (Janneman Malan), Kyle (Verryenne), (David Bedingham) Bedders, Zuby (Zubayr Hamza) and these were guys I wanted to play with, and obviously work with the coach that was producing those kinds of players,” he said.

“I am glad I did. I am very appreciative of the time I spent with Ash, and also now Salieg (Nackerdien) since I have been here.”

De Zorzi’s rise to prominence comes at a critical period too in the greater context of South African cricket. Temba Bavuma has long been the sole black African batter in the Proteas Test side, with Khaya Zondo finally graduating to the next level on the recent England tour.

For many this is damning indignation that Cricket SA’S transformation policy has not yielded the desired results, particularly in the development of black African batters.

De Zorzi is fully cognisant of the responsibility on his shoulders, but he also feels that the narrative relating to black African batters has not always been a fair reflection of the reality.

“It is something that is played on by the media. Sometimes the black guy does well, as I have seen right now, there are always questions asked… The wicket is flat … the bowlers aren’t good enough. But if it’s the same innings by a different type of person, then it’s all praise and glory,” De Zorzi said.

“I think that is something young (black) batters have to deal with going through the system about always having to prove yourself. I don’t think I am the only one.

“There are quality young batters like (Sinethemba) Qeshile in the past, and could do it again. Sometimes there is a just different perspective by the media afforded to different guys based on different things.

“But for me, you just try to do your best and what will happen will happen. If they give you the praise it’s alright, and if they don’t that’s also alright.”