|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
- By Franklin Times Junior Journalist Taylor Budge
South African cricketer Berno de Klerk has had a phenomenal season for the Pukekohe Metro Cricket Club and is working on a plan to return next season.
An all-rounder, De Klerk has been the standout player in all forms of cricket across the region this summer.
He helped Pukekohe Metro win the W.H Taylor Shield two-day competition as well as leading the club to the final of the Regional One-Day competition, which also includes teams from Waikato Valley.
Along the way, he has scored five premier centuries and one for the premier reserves team.
“I loved every moment of this summer so far, not just on the field but off the field as well,” De Klerk told the Franklin Times.
“The guys I play with are so nice and always there to have fun. The cricket has been very enjoyable, and the pitches here in New Zealand are different to what I am used to, so it is also a good way to test myself.”
The 19-year-old landed in Pukekohe courtesy of a connection with the club’s highest profile player – new Black Cap national representative Katene Clarke.
“I played a season in the Netherlands where I met Katene, and he put me in touch with the club, and it just went on from there,” De Klerk says.
“I come from a small town called Welkom in South Africa but went to school in Potchofstroom.
“I always loved cricket and Potchofstroom was sort of a place where my cricket would go forward.”
De Klerk may have found a new home in Pukekohe as he’s already shown interest in returning next season and has higher honours in mind.
“Yes, I would love to come back to New Zealand,” De Klerk says.
“I definitely want to be playing for Counties Manukau and Northern Districts, and that will be the goal I will be working hard for.”
