Jonathan Bird's season to impress

Western Province and Bishops pupil Jonathan Bird is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young prospects to keep an eye on in the coming domestic season, writes Khalid Mohidin.

In mid-2018, rumours began to circulate in the Western Cape of a school kid who could “murder” the ball.

The whispers suggested that he struck fear into his opponents with his power-hitting capabilities. In fact, many argued that he could smash the ball up to 100m. The student in question was Jonathan Bird.

I was sceptical. But it wasn’t until a casual chat with CSA scout and Western Province academy manager, Graham October, that I began to believe these whispers.

“He can do what Sir Garfield Sobers did in his time,” October said. “Jono has all the attributes because he comes from that bloodline. His father used to murder the ball with the bat.

“He’ll always have the powerplay because he is a strong boy” October added. “If you pitch it short he hooks you square or over cow.

“So then you pitch it up … he will either drive you through the covers for four or he will hit you over extra-cover for six. And not just a six … it clears the boundary.

“He is destined for greatness because of his humility and he will go all the way. There is no doubt in my mind.”

October’s words were enough. I was on high alert at both Cape Schools Week 2018 and Khaya Majolo Week 2018.

During Coke Week he scored a century in his opening game. I witnessed him pummel sixes, but not in a risky manner as may be presumed. In fact he managed to clear the boundary with precision and control, while still showing his power in his defensive strokes.

While I was being entertained by this sensational young talent, October’s narrations about Bird repeated in my mind. I felt like I was watching the directors cut of Lord of the Rings – enthralled by the transcendence while still being educated.

I also noticed that the towering teen had more depth to his game than the street-talk suggested.

“Back in the day I was more about hitting boundaries or dotting it up,” Bird said exclusively to Cricket Fanatics Magazine.

“Something I try to work into my game a lot more is rotating the strike. As a result of working on this week in and week out. I think I’ve improved my batting game as a whole.”

This was evident in his performances for South Africa U19 against Pakistan. The team lost 7-0 in the series but Bird hit 75, 100 and 112 on the trot at the back-end of the series, while his teammates crumbled around him.

On all three occasions, he was left to anchor the innings and alter his game to the match situation.

This approach will bode well for the youngster for the new season as he showed the maturity needed to make it at a professional level.

Bird made it clear that he aspires to be a Protea and is fully aware that to get there, he needs to perform at a semi-pro level for Western Province.

Having already become the youngest player to ever hit a century on debut for WP, he remains hungry to perform for his province with the aim of earning a franchise contract in the future.

He is one step closer to his dreams, with his recent call up to the SA U19 World Cup squad.