Former South Africa U19 fast bowler Chad Classen continues to defy the odds as he settles in at his new home at North West after his move from Gauteng, writes Ongama Gcwabe.

Having been born at St Georges Hospital in Port Elizabeth on 17 January 1997, Chad Classen grew up in Johannesburg where he started playing cricket at only four years old.

Brought up by a footballer, his father tried to convince Chad to take on the same path, but Chad was different, he enjoyed cricket more.

The 23-year-old fast bowler was not in the initial South Africa 2016 U19 World Cup squad despite having represented Gauteng in all age-group levels from an early age.

However, through his consistent performances in the 2016 Cubs week for the Lions Cubs team and the 2016 Varsity Cup in Potchefstroom, he was eventually called up to join the SA U19 boys in Bangladesh when another player got injured – a side which featured Tony de Zorzi, Lutho Sipamla, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne and Wandile Makwetu to name a few.

“I remember getting a call to say I’m being called up to join SA U19 in Bangladesh,” the youngster revealed to Cricket Fanatics Magazine in an exclusive interview. 

“But I just couldn’t believe it because I didn’t expect it, especially after the teams were selected and my name wasn’t there. 

“It was a very intense environment, a very proud moment for me to represent my country.

“I remember I was having dinner at the hotel I was staying in and I was sitting next to Sarfaraz Khan who at only 17 was playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore with the likes of AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli.

“I sat there thinking to myself that if I can be in the company of someone who’s so big in the cricketing world then I can make it anywhere in the world.”

He played one match in that World Cup, a match against Zimbabwe which saw the junior Proteas bowled out for 70-odd runs and went on to lose that match.

Currently, Classen prides himself with a first-class career bowling average of just 21.85, BBI of 5/38, BBM of 7/63, strike rate of 43.5 with 28 wickets bagged already in just 12 matches and an economy of only 3.01. 

He picked up his only first-class career five-for when he played his second first-class game for North West against Western Province at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.

Classen then moved from Gauteng to play his cricket at North West after his contract wasn’t renewed by Gauteng.

“I wouldn’t say it was a choice because if what happened to me didn’t happen, I would’ve stayed at Gauteng,” said Classen.

“It made me much stronger. Now I can handle any situation. I learnt I need to make plans when my contract is about to expire, whether it’s going to be renewed or I need to find another place to play.

“I learnt that my heart is in this game. No matter what anybody has to say about me, I know that if I put the hard work in I can make it anywhere in this world.”

At just 22-years-old, Chad Classen had to prove his worth by quickly integrating into a totally new environment, new town, new teammates and a new management. 

But North West Cricket has been a home for many cricketers that have been in Classen’s shoes. One that springs to mind is Rassie van der Dussen who after his contract at Titans ended switched to North West.

Through hard work and consistent performances, Rassie moved up the ranks and earned a contract with the Lions and now he is also a Proteas contracted player.

“It was tough at the time because apart from my family, I didn’t have anyone in cricket that I could go to that would understand how I felt at the time because at that time most of my cricket peers were playing cricket in England since it was off-season in South Africa.

“They sometimes say North West is the team for the rejects. So all of us have that one goal in mind which is to focus on ourselves and not let exterior factors affect us.

“We know we’re good cricketers. We all have that mentality. At North West, we have that fighting spirit. To be honest I feel like this is the most I’ve enjoyed my cricket.”

The youngster has very ambitious goals and aspirations for the next season and is keen to work hard to reach his goals.

“I’d like to play franchise cricket and play for my country. If that can’t happen, then I’ll have to take opportunities elsewhere. But in the next year I’d like to be playing a higher level of cricket.”

Photo: Supplied