Last Updated on 11 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
JJ Basson might be the next big thing in South African cricket. The 18-year-old made history, taking 11/99 for the Lions against Boland – the best figures on debut in South African First Class history.
Basson, born in Bloomfield on April 7 2008, will be sitting his school exams later this week. He represented South Africa at the U19 World Cup earlier this year where he took nine wickets in four matches at an average of 16 and strike rate of 24.
Fast forward nine months, and he made the Lions team due to their first-choice players being unavailable. Lutho Sipamla is injured and Kwena Maphaka is playing in the ODI series against Namibia. Gerald Coetzee and Codi Yusuf had South Africa A duty, while Wiaan Mulder did not play due to personal reasons.
Basson made an immediate impression in Johannesburg. He took the first six wickets to fall in Boland’s first innings and eventually finished with figures of 7/62. He then took 4/37 in the second innings when no other bowler took a wicket. Boland finished on 135/4 to seal a draw.
“I would [have] never imagined my debut match would end up the way it did,” Basson said. “It was really awesome to have contributed the way I did and I’m really proud of what I have achieved. I will definitely remember this match for a really long time.”
Allan Donald full of praise for 18-year-old JJ Basson, compares him to Kagiso Rabada
Lions’ bowling coach and former South Africa pace bowler Allan Donald was full of praise for Basson. Speaking to Cricinfo, Donald said Basson’s maturity is something to behold at such a young age.
“What a find this kid is,” Donald said. “I’m always very careful of labelling too soon but what a performance. This kid bowled the kind of spell that a lot of 28-year-olds only bowl once in their lifetime and the maturity of how he did was just honestly something.”
Donald also spoke of Basson’s strengths. The left-arm pace bowler has an ability to swing the ball, and Donald is also impressed with his attitude and willingness to listen.
“I was walking around the ground when he started his second spell and I could see straight away that his rhythm was on. That’s something I know he has been working on because he had a few no-ball issues but he has sorted that out,” Donald said.
“The ability to swing the ball so late is a great asset of his. He is lanky with a natural wrist position and being left arm just makes him a special talent. And he’s a great listener and asks good questions.”
Donald then likened Basson’s rise to that of Kagiso Rabada. The Lions’ bowling coach says the youngster has that X-Factor about him that you want to build on.
“It’s like when I saw KG [Rabada] for the first time and he rocked and rolled in Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval in a T20I against Australia (where Rabada debuted), I just knew,” Donald said.
“Every now and again, one of these kids comes along and they are just a find that you want to nurture.”
