Nabeelah Fakier chatted to Dolphins batsman Marques Ackerman for an exclusive Q&A.
Ackerman is a batsman who plays for the Dolphins.
He is a St Stithians Old Boy whose alumni includes Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder and Grant Elliott.
He has Captained SA Emerging and SA Invitation XI. He’s the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union cricketer of the year.
We chatted to the 23-year-old to get to know him a little more before the domestic season kicks off.
You’re the KZNCU cricketer of the year, what has winning that award meant to you?
It was a great feeling because I worked really hard during the season and it was good to be recognized by the union for doing well or for contributing towards the team’s success.
A century on debut for the Dolphins in the CSA 4-Day Franchise Series, a special moment for you?
It was one very special moment. For me it was a sign that I can compete at the highest level and that hard work was starting to pay off.
You’ve played with Rabada, what was it like playing with him?
Great guy, great player, an individual you want in your side and the person you will always pick first in any team.
What was your experience touring for SA U19 in India?
My experience for SA U19 was really good and really helped towards forming and finding myself as a player coming fresh out of school.
Was it tough captaining SA Emerging, and Captaining SA invitation XI? Were there any difficulties you faced?
I wouldn’t say it was easy or hard. The experience of being a leader and playing with really good players can make your job as a captain so much easier when they execute their skills really well. The only difficulties you really face are making the correct decisions at the right time which will benefit the team.
What sort of lessons has captaincy taught you?
Making calls on and off the field is the easiest job as a captain. The hardest lesson has been interacting with each player on a level where you know exactly what frame of mind they’re in, what type of player they are and encouraging that player to express themselves and play as hard as possible for you and the team. It’s also hard to convince them to gain your trust and to show them that you back them and understand where they are mentally and physically with their game. That’s probably the biggest lesson and challenge.
The modern-day cricketer is expected to be able to play all three formats (4-Day/Test cricket, 50-over, T20. Is this something you are aiming for? Or is there a specific format you are aiming to be better in?
I love all three formats of the game and I like to play all three as much as I can, but the big format I strive to do well in is 4-Day Cricket.
At which position do you prefer batting?
I prefer batting at No 3 and the challenges are different depending on when you go in to bat and what the situation is. But adapting to the conditions and making as many runs as possible is the biggest challenge.
You’ve played two seasons in the United Kingdom, playing in the Lancashire League, how was that experience and would you play overseas again?
I would play over in the UK if the opportunity comes up again, as my last two seasons have been great. My stint at Darwen Cricket Club in the Lancashire League was really good this season and I would go back there any day. It was a great team and they have loads of great people. Most of all it had helped my game a lot.
Other than cricket, are there any other sports that you are very good at as well?
I love playing golf but wouldn’t say I’m particularly good at it.
What are your aims for the new season?
My goals are simple, and that’s to try and make as many runs as I can for the Dolphins and contribute as much as possible to my team and hopefully we can win a trophy.
Photo: Supplied
