News
STUBBS: I WOULD LOVE TO KEEP WICKET AGAIN IN SEASON 3
Tristan Stubbs is the ultimate team man.
So, when Sunrisers Eastern Cape coach Adrian Birrell came across to him early into Betway SA20 Season 2 and asked if he would keep wicket after Adam Rossington had suffered an injury, it was no surprise that he took up the task.
But it is one thing having a positive attitude, but an altogether different prospect going out there and doing the business, especially as Stubbs had only sporadically worn the gloves for the Warriors since his schooldays at Grey High.
Stubbs, though, got down to work behind the scenes, and along with Rossington’s guidance and fielding coach Ryan Cook’s prowess, it proved to be masterstroke from the Sunrisers.
The champions had not only unearthed a competent gloveman, but they were also able to add greater depth to their batting line-up with the inclusion of big-hitting Patrick Kruger lower down the order.
It proved to be a successful formula with the Sunrisers ultimately winning back-to-back Betway SA20 titles.
With Rossington having exited the Sunrisers after Season 2, the double champions have drafted a Rookie gloveman in Daniel Smith at the recent auction.
Stubbs, though, has no intention of giving up the gloves just yet.
"Hopefully I hope I can keep again. I really enjoyed it last year. I would love to do it again," Stubbs told SA20.
The 24-year-old still holds the record for the most expensive auction signing in SA20 history, and the weight of expectation certainly weighed on his shoulders in Season 1.
But despite the added responsibility of keeping, it somehow freed up Stubbs in front of the stumps in Season 2.
ALSO READ
Known for playing with a smile on his face, Stubbs looked to enjoy himself and certainly did as he finished as the Sunrisers top run-getter with 301 runs at an average of 60.05.
"I felt that I had to do a lot more than I needed to do. It definitely weighed on me the first year," he said.
"The second year I went in … I am just going to enjoy this. It was so much better. "
With Stubbs’ international duties with the Proteas across formats increasing and being much-sought after by the various franchise leagues around the world, he also spends any more time at home in Gqeberha.
It is for this reason that he has a special fondness for SA20 as it allows him to entertain the locals at his beloved St George’s for a full month every January.
"I just love playing at St George’s Park. I am a local boy there; it is just awesome walking out. You know a lot of people in the stands," he said.
"It is my best month of the year. It is so much fun. Crowds are amazing. You at home. I get to play six games at St George’s where I love batting."
