IT'S A JANSEN FAMILY MEETING AT THE WORLD CUP

Cricket has a long tradition of brothers playing international cricket.

But there aren’t many twins that have represented their country. Australia’s Steve and Mark Waugh are easily the most illustrious with the pair playing together in three ICC World Cups, culminating in victory in the 1999 edition in the United Kingdom.

The only other duo is New Zealand’s identical pair James and Hamish Marshall who starred for the Black Caps in the mid-2000’s.

South Africa now though has one half of another identical pair in Marco Jansen currently playing at the World Cup in India.

The Sunrisers Eastern Cape all-rounder has been a revelation with the 23-year-old excelling with both bat and ball for the Proteas. Jansen is currently the leading wicket-taker with 16 scalps at 20.06, but has also struck 143 runs, including a career-best 75 not out against reigning champions England, for an average of 47.66.

But despite Jansen’s individual success, he would love nothing more than to play alongside his twin brother, MI Cape Town left-arm seamer Duan, for the Proteas going forward.

“It definitely is still a dream,” Marco said.

“My brother and I have worked so hard together most of our lives, so whenever I don't do well he feels it, and when he doesn’t do well, I feel it.

“Even though I am sitting here in India, I have watched 80% of his one-day games back at home.

“I watched the final, which they didn’t do as well as they wanted to, but it’s definitely one dream that we would want to make a reality.”

Duan is a carbon copy of Marco, not only in physical features with both over 2-metres tall, but also in bowling style.

It has certainly caught the attention of coaches around the world already with Duan also earning an Indian Premier League contract last season with Mumbai Indians.

The duo made history earlier this year when they became the first set of twins to play against each other in the IPL.

“There is already one dream that’s come true, and that’s to play in the IPL both of us,” he said.

“But the top dream is definitely to play together for our country.”

But for now, Jansen will have to focus on carrying the family torch alone at the World Cup, particularly with the massive clash looming against hosts India on Sunday at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

He admits “to be honest, I’m nervous” because “it’s going to be loud and the crowd is going to be buzzing”, but at least he will have another member of the Jansen family close by to help him keep his composure.

“So, my old man (Koos Jansen) is here, and I'll spend a bit of time with him because he knows how to calm me down. Be in my room, and try not to do too much, because if I do a lot, then I start thinking and my mind goes all over the place,” he said.

South Africa and India go head-to-head from 10:30am (SA time) and the match will be broadcast live on SuperSport.