If Jacques Snyman wasn’t too well-known before, he is now after having distinguished himself this week by scoring the fastest ever century in the history of the 4-Day Franchise Series.
Snyman’s 71-ball century toppled the previous record of 73 balls held by Knights teammate Shaun von Berg. The 26-year-old scored an assertive 109 off 78 balls on their way to a dominating 179-run victory over the Warriors.
After what has been a drought of cricket deprivation this year due to COVID-19, Snyman managed to turn heads and spark up an innings that has gotten him recognized as a prospective player.
The feat came as an unexpected turn of accomplishments for the former Hoërskool Menlopark scholar.
“I didn’t know I was batting that fast if I was being completely honest,” a surprised yet proud Snyman told Cricket Fanatics Magazine. “I just wanted to go out into the middle and play the game I love.
“I got out shortly before lunch and when I went up Shaun [von Berg] tapped me on my shoulder and asked me if I knew what I had just done. I had no idea and I was still a little down because of the run out.
“Then Fudgy (Farhaan Behardien) told me I broke Shaun’s record by two balls and I was like, ‘what record?’
“When they told me I thought, ‘wow!’ It was so special and something I’ll never forget.”
Snyman said the wicket did somehow play to his team’s favour, especially after a bit of luck spun their way when Knights captain Pite van Biljon won the toss and elected to bat first.
“The wicket looked like a belter and all the batters were smiling,” he said. “Taking nothing away from the Warriors’ bowling attack, but there wasn’t much in the wicket for them to work with. We just kept on ticking.”
Snyman added that the partnership between him and Matthew Kleinveldt caused some other headaches for the Warriors’ bowling inconsistencies.
“Matty (Kleinveldt) is left and I’m right-handed so I don’t think the bowlers were able to settle into a rhythm. We kept changing and rotating strikes and all the bad balls went for fours.
“He (Kleinveldt) has settled in really well at the Knights and we’re both hungry to put our names out there, because before this season we both weren’t getting franchise games.
“We’ve been working hard in the off-season and we’ve been working together, too.” Kleinveldt scored a solid 73 runs when batting in tandem with Snyman.
Although having reaped more success in the red-ball game, Snyman said he wants to cement his place as an opener in all formats of the game for the Bloemfontein outfit.
“I want to settle into the Knights team and open for them across all formats because I enjoy facing the new ball. That’s probably where I’m at my best.”
Senior players Behardien, Van Biljon and Von Berg, as well as Head Coach Allan Donald and batting consultant Gerhard Maree were some notable mentions he made as having developed and honed his skills within the Knights fold.
Photo: Frikkie Kapp/BackpagePix
