Update
KNYSNA NEWS - Local cricket star Tristan Stubbs made his debut for South Africa last week when he donned the Proteas kit to face India in the first match of their T20I series in India on Thursday 6 June.
The game, which was played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, started at 15:30 CAT.
Tristan Stubbs became cap number 95 for South Africa in T20 internationals and was part of a team that saw the return of Wayne Parnell for the first time since 2017, as well as the return of Anrich Nortjé for the first time since the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup.
Proteas captain Temba Bavuma chose to bowl first when he won the toss, sending the home side in to bat first. The small boundaries around the ground meant that India soared to a total of 211-4 in their 20 overs - but not without some input from Stubbs.
While he didn't get to bowl, he was the man positioned at long-on when Ishan Kishan smacked the ball hard and flat down the ground. Stubbs held his nerve and held on to the ball to claim a sharp and impressive catch on debut, his first for the Proteas.
"It was flat and hard, so I didn't have too much time to think about it, but I just made 100% sure I wasn't going to drop it," Stubbs said.
While sharp in the field and at times a handy off-spinner, Stubbs is best known for his batting exploits. He was marked down at number six in the line-up, but stellar performances from Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller and Dwaine Pretorius meant that they did not require his services to clinch South Africa's largest-ever successful run chase to win by seven wickets.
Despite not getting to bat, he was chuffed to be a part of such a special bit of SA history. "Just to be a part of it and have my name on the team sheet for the highest successful run chase is pretty cool," he said.
Stubbs also recalled how he felt at the start of the game. "It was an awesome feeling and a very proud moment to be able to make my debut and to sing the national anthem, as well was a very proud moment representing my country."
Although Stubbs is the only homegrown Knysna cricketer in the side, long-time Protea and star opening batsman Quinton de Kock has called Knysna his home for a good few years now. He scored 22 off 18 deliveries in the first T20I. Stubbs recognises the value of having De Kock alongside him.
"It definitely does help having Quinny from Knysna, but the whole team in general has just been very welcoming and it's been a really enjoyable experience so far."
Neither De Kock nor Stubbs played in either the second or third T20I games, as they were replaced by Reeza Hendricks and Heinrich Klaasen on both occasions.
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