Tristan Stubbs etched his name as the 11th batsman to hit a triple century in South Africa's First-Class cricket history, and the eighth to achieve this feat since the country's readmission to international cricket, marking a significant boost for the national Test squad. Currently, Stubbs, who will feature for Rishabh Pant's Delhi Capitals (DC) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, is at the top of the run-scoring chart in Division 1 of the local four-day league, amassing two centuries across five games.
Tristan Stubbs wreaked havoc with the bat
Having made his Test debut in last month's New Year's Test against India, Stubbs also showcased his potential during South Africa A's tour to Sri Lanka last July, with a notable century in Colombo signaling his readiness for the senior team. His Test opportunity came at Newlands, filling in at No. 4 for the injured Temba Bavuma, where he scored 3 and 1 in a short-lived match that saw South Africa defeated by India within two days.
Despite being bound by contract to participate in the SA20 league instead of joining the Test series in New Zealand, Stubbs thrived, ending as Sunrisers Eastern Cape's top scorer with 301 runs, including three fifties and a strike rate of 168.15, helping his team clinch the title for the second time. Shortly after this triumph, Stubbs demonstrated his adaptability to the longer format, further cementing his place as a versatile player.
Tristan Stubbs' marathon 302 lasts for 8 hours and 19 minutes
Tristan Stubbs spent eight hours and 19 minutes at the crease, facing 372 deliveries to amass an unbeaten 302, leading Warriors to declare at 517 for 3 in their match against Kwa-Zulu Natal Inland. With both teams out of contention for the final next week, Warriors positioned in fifth and KZN Inland at the bottom, the match's outcome had no impact on the standings.
This game also marked Mondli Khumalo's comeback to competitive cricket since February 2022, following his recovery from injuries sustained in an assault in the UK. After undergoing four surgeries, Khumalo was cleared to return to play a year later and resumed playing at North Petherton Cricket Club in Somerset during the northern hemisphere summer. This match signifies his first appearance for his local team since the assault, where he stood out as the sole wicket-taker, delivering 25 overs and taking 3 for 92. Khumalo aims to continue his cricket career in England, holding onto aspirations for greater achievements.
Stubs turning dreams into reality
For Stubbs, his cricketing dreams are turning into a reality. Already established as a regular in T20 internationals and gaining recognition in global leagues, he is poised to enhance his international presence, potentially adding more to his single ODI appearance. As South Africa gears up for the 2027 World Cup, Stubbs is likely to be a key figure in their Test and limited-overs squads.
South Africa is scheduled to embark on a two-Test series against the West Indies in August, which will be followed by another two-Test series in Bangladesh come October. The team then returns home to host Sri Lanka and Pakistan in series that will round off the 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle. With Temba Bavuma anticipated to return as captain and Dean Elgar having retired, it is likely that Tony de Zorzi, who was the most recent player to score a triple-century in South Africa before Stubbs, will advance to an opening role. This reshuffle could potentially open up a spot for Stubbs in the middle order.
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