Marques Ackerman has spent his career working towards an opportunity with the Proteas.

Now, after progressing through virtually every level of South African cricket, the 30-year-old has received his maiden Test call-up ahead of the three-match series against Australia.

For Ackerman, the news arrived during a four-day match when a familiar voice appeared on the other end of the phone.

“We were busy with the 4-day game, so it was the morning of day three when I received the call from Shukri Conrad.

“I was really like building myself up to expect that call eventually, so when I did get it, it was a great feeling.”

A journey that started with cricket everywhere

Ackerman’s relationship with the game stretches back to his earliest childhood memories.

Cricket was quite literally around him.

“The earliest memories that I do have is just my parents, grandparents throwing balls to me.

“I remember my grandmother used to own an indoor facility, an action arena, and I remember my parents working there and everyone being busy and just everyone that comes to play there used to just throw balls at me all the time and used to bat in the indoors there or in the facility all night long.

“So I grew up within the game and playing all the time. My dad used to play club cricket, so he used to spend a lot of time next to the field.”

Those early experiences eventually developed into an ambition to play Test cricket.

“Growing up watching Test cricket, that for me is obviously the ultimate goal, the proper test of skill and patience and all of that.

“So yeah, I think growing up playing backyard cricket and stuff like that, we always used to play Test cricket, bat multiple times of both innings and stuff.

“So yeah, I think the love for four-day cricket or Test cricket is something that I keep really close to my heart.”

‘I’ve been through every single part of the pipeline’

Ackerman’s journey to the Proteas setup has not been an overnight rise.

It is precisely why he believes his story could carry an important message for other cricketers who may feel their opportunity has passed.

“There’s obviously a lot of good youngsters coming through that are super talented and they’re putting in some really good performances, which is exciting for cricket in South Africa in general.

“But I think I’ve been through every single part of the pipeline.

“So I feel like I’ve been that guy that can tell you about the pipeline in South Africa.”

Through it all, the ambition has remained the same.

“I think at the end of the day, it’s a dream to play for South Africa and hopefully that dream can come true for me.

“And I think that’s a good maybe lesson for guys that do get a little bit older, that it’s never too late and it’s certainly not too late for me just yet.

“I feel like I’ve still got a lot left to offer in the game.”

Reunited with Shukri Conrad

Ackerman’s relationship with Proteas head coach Conrad goes back several years.

Conrad coached him during his time at the national academy, and Ackerman believes he played an important role in unlocking his potential as a younger player.

“I can’t remember the exact year. I think it was either 2016 or 2017 when I joined the academy. Shukri was the coach of the academy at the time.

“And yeah, I’ve said in previous interviews, my relationship with him was really good.

“I think the important thing was when I was younger, he was the one that really unlocked and tried to get the best out of me and he managed to do that.

“So yeah, he’s got a way of getting the best out of players and I was one of those in my academy days.

“So that’s where our relationship really started.”

Ackerman also credited Wandile Gwavu and Dolphins coach Quinton Friend for helping him develop in recent years.

“There’s a lot of coaches that have played a big role in maybe the success that I have found in the last few years.

“I think to mention a few, I think Wandile Gwavu was really good. Quinton Friend, our domestic coach.

“I think they’ve been really good at allowing me to play the way I want to play and backing me 100%.”

Learning when to attack

Ackerman has developed a reputation for positive batting, but he believes finding the balance between aggression and restraint has been an important part of his development.

“I think it’s just how I play and it’s something that I’ve obviously had to, you know, tinker a little bit with, you know, when to actually be attacking and when to rein it in a little bit.

“But and just finding a good like middle ground with it.

“But yeah, I wouldn’t say I’d go out to just try to be attacking all the time, but it just I think that’s just in the nature of how I try to go about my work.”

As a left-handed batter, Ackerman grew up watching some accomplished players in the same mould.

“I was a left-hander, so growing up watching Test cricket especially, I really enjoyed watching Ashwell Prince and JP Duminy, obviously Kumar Sangakkara.

“So I really enjoyed watching them play Test cricket especially. So I tried to obviously, you know, I was looking up to those guys growing up.”

Ackerman now finds himself working alongside Prince in the Proteas environment, having previously crossed paths with him at the Cape Town Blitz.

“I was fortunate enough to, he was coach of a while back for Cape Town Blitz, when I was involved there, I think it was 2018 or 19.

“So that was really nice where I got to know him, you know, on a bit more of a personal note.

“So yeah, I’m spending a bit of time with him now in the change room and in the nets again. I think I’m really looking forward to it.”

A possible debut at home

There could hardly be a more fitting venue for Ackerman to make his Test debut than Kingsmead.

The Dolphins batter knows the ground and conditions well, but he is determined not to get ahead of himself.

“Obviously it’s my home ground.

“So I think it’s always nice to be familiar with certain conditions and certain venues. So yeah, this is a lovely ground. I love this ground and I obviously get to call this home.

“So there’s not much, you know, I don’t really think too far ahead.

“And if the opportunity does come, I mean, I’m not really going to look too deep into it and just try to stay in the moment.”

Whether that opportunity comes immediately or further down the road, Ackerman is simply appreciating his first experience inside the Proteas Test environment.

“Look, to be honest, I’ve worked hard my whole career to try to be in this space.

“They’ve got something great going on and it’s amazing to be part of that now.

“Whatever’s coming in the future, it’s not really up to me right now. I just want to stick to giving back into this team and enjoying the space because it’s an amazing space to be part of.

“So I’m really honoured to be here.”

And if the opportunity to make his Test debut does arrive, it could come against one of the strongest opponents possible.

“That’s obviously a big privilege to be involved in such a big series, especially at home.

“I mean, at the end of the day, they’re obviously one of the top teams in the world.

“So I think if you do get a chance to play and especially now like a three-Test series, three Test-match series, I think that’s probably the most exciting part is that, you know, you’re going to be testing yourself against some of the best players and teams in the world, which is why we play the game.”

For now, Ackerman’s name is finally in the Proteas Test squad.

The boy who spent nights batting inside his grandmother’s indoor facility is one step away from fulfilling the dream he has carried throughout his career.

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