It was a memorable weekend for the Six Gun Grill Western Province as they clinched a second victory in the CSA 4-Day Series campaign defeating the ITEC Knights by an innings and 155 runs within three days.
Opening batsman Tony de Zorzi picked up from where he left off from his 163 in the previous week’s victory over the GbetsRocks to record back-to-back centuries at Six Gun Grill Newlands, surpassing the previous highest-ever individual score at the iconic stadium, after taking the record from former Cape Cobras opening batsman Pieter Malan who scored 264 in the 2020/2021 season, also against the Knights.
Speaking after the end of WP’s first innings, De Zorzi believes being mentioned in the same sentence with the likes of Malan is huge and achieving what he has, meant a lot to him and his family.
“It’s a bit surreal. If someone told me that would be something I would achieve, I probably wouldn’t believe them. At the start of the day, I was very far from it and for that to happen to me, it was surreal. I’m very grateful, I could do it for the team, myself and my mom at home.
“It’s still very overwhelming for me, it hasn’t sunk in yet – probably in the next few days or so – I’m glad that I could achieve something like that. I have only been dreaming of it, but to make that a reality it’s very huge and I’m very happy,” said the man of the moment.
“From 290, I was like…geez, I’ve done enough get to that score – don’t get too nervous now, and then I saw Pieter’s record on the scoreboard – that alone was emotional and huge. Pieter is a great, special and consistent player so to have my name up with him, is an achievement. Once I got over the line it was huge, to have my roommate on tour (Nandre Burger) with me was really nice.”
De Zorzi also paid tribute to the bowling unit who set the game up for his massive innings after they dismantled the Knights’ batting line-up for just 111 after losing the toss and being asked to bowl first on the first day: “We probably have the best bowling attack in the competition and when you have those guys asking questions about the new ball up front, it’s a lot easier for us to set up the game. I think Beuran, Moreki, Nandre and Pato were phenomenal, they gave us the opportunity to bat long and only once in the match. We have a special bowling attack, hardly waste the new ball and it’s always fun to be out there with them.”
Coach Salieg Nackerdien was full of praise for the record-breaker: “Tony had an exceptional winter and really set the tone in terms of his skill and conditioning. Leading up to the start of the season he contributed with a superb 163 vs the Rocks and followed it up with a fantastic 304 not out vs the Knights. He showed immense concentration levels and determination throughout his innings. We knew that it was just a matter of time when he would reap the rewards for his hard work. We trust that he can build on this and will the recognition that he deserves.”
List of highest individual scores at Six Gun Grill Newlands:
