FOR Hanro van Jaarsveld there is no better feeling than being on a cricket field with his bat in his hand.
“Batting is my favourite part of the game. I feel at home when I am out there in the middle,” the captain of the Framesby High School cricket team explained.
“It is just a comfortable feeling which I love. Of course when you score runs it becomes an unreal feeling.”
Although he favours batting, Van Jaarsveld also has other important roles in the team to fulfil.
The 16-year-old is not only captain and a key batsman, but he is also the team’s wicketkeeper. That means he has to concentrate for many hours, and is basically involved with every ball bowled in a match.
“On the field I focus on what I can do rather than what I must do. I am playing in a good team with players that can assist me if I miss anything in a match,” said Van Jaarsveld.
His love for cricket started at primary school and developed from there.
“I really got into it after I attended an international match for the first time. I thought it would be fantastic to play at that level.”
Hanro said he learned a lot by watching how the former South African captain, Faf du Plessis, handled himself in the cricket environment.
“He is my role model. He showed that the role of captain is more important than just the privilege itself. Du Plessis proved hard work and patience will pay off and that problems must not smother your dreams and inspirations,” said Van Jaarsveld, who plays rugby and competes in some athletics, but focuses mostly on cricket.
In this schedule he also has to find time for the school books.
“In our house school work takes priority, but cricket keeps me away from the books for long periods.” said the Grade 11 learner.
“To be honest, I do neglect my homework at times but I catch up in my own time,”
Van Jaarsveld would love to score a century for his team and represent Eastern Province at some stage.
“If things work out for me to make a career out of cricket I would grab those opportunities, but it won’t be the end of the world if it doesn’t happen that way.
“Cricket will always be part of life, even if I only play it in the park with my mates.”
There is still a lot to look forward to for Framesby in the cricket season, and the captain feels the future looks bright.
“We are a very young team. It will be interesting to see how we grow.”
Framesby is currently on tour in Boland and will take on Boland Landbou in Wellington tomorrow, followed by matches against Paarl Gym on Friday and Somerset College on Saturday.
After this tour, Framesby will face matches against Nico Malan, Muir and Woodridge.
