A good perfomance in the domestic T20 competition has opened a new door for one of the players of the Warriors cricket franchise in Port Elizabeth.
Christiaan Jonker has been called up to the T20 national side.
He will join his franchise captain, Jon Jon Smuts in the national squad. If he plays in any of the three T20 internationals against India, he will join an illustrious list of Eastern Cape players, including Mark Boucher and Makhaya Ntini.
Smuts and Jonker have played a big part in the T20 success of the Warriors with their flashing blades. Jonker has scored 280 runs in eleven white ball matches for his franchise. He has also represented the SA Emerging cricket team in the shorter version of the game.
Jonker, who will take the title of Protea opening batsman says his very happy with this call up.
“The standard will be high, and India is a very good cricketing nation, so I am happy with the selection – but now hard work starts now in the nets, but I am going to enjoy every moment of it.”
Jon Jon Smuts has six T20 caps under the belt. He is fully aware of the Indian challenge and says that they are going to play with intention on playing the ball and not the players.
“We are going out there to fight, we not gonna play names, we are going to focus on the ball, the warriors has contributed hugely in our careers are cricket players but representing your county is a huge honour.”
Producing players for the national side is always a feather in the cap of the franchise coaches. Warriors interim coach, Rivash Gobind, says that Jonker and Smuts have contributed to the success of the local franchise.
“Team culture and respect has been number one so far, players want more silverware this time against ever since against the dolphins, both players Jon Jon and Jonker have played an instrumental role in our success this year, these are proud moments to show what we have been doing.”
The Proteas will play three T20 matches against India starting on Sunday at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
