Elworth has recently announced the signing of South African domestic star Beyers Swanepoel for their 2022 North Staffs and South Cheshire League campaign.

CSA Cricketer of the Year

Swanepoel is an exciting pace bowling all-rounder who made waves in South African domestic cricket in 2019/20. His success culminated with the CSA Cricketer of the Year award.

Following two seasons with Free State (110 runs at 18.33 and 17 wickets at 22.17 in 5 first-class games), he moved to Northern Cape last season and excelled scoring 389 runs at 55.57 and taking 34 wickets at 16.76.

Season highlights included his blistering 188 not out (from 169 balls with 16 fours and 8 sixes) against KwaZulu Natal and a sequence of 5-wicket hauls against Eastern Province (5-84), Northerns (5-40), and his career-best against North West (7-50).

Higher honours

His exploits for Northern Cape resulted in Franchise inclusion in January 2020, playing a Knights first-class match against the Lions.

He was then selected to represent a CSA Invitational XI against the touring England side a few weeks later, where he produced notable performances in both games – 2-42 and 2-58 / 25* (20), including the wickets of Denly, Ali, Woakes, and Curran.

The right-arm seamer and explosive left-hand batter is now delivering the promise that saw him represent Northerns through all age groups, the Titans Cubs, and South African Universities. For the latter, he was their leading wicket-taker during the South Africa Emerging Players Tri-Series in June-July 2019.

UK exploits

Following his 2019/20 domestic season, Swanepoel was excited to return to the UK following his barnstorming stint with Anston in the Bassetlaw and District Championship back in 2017 (1,395 runs at 46.50 and 66 wickets at 17.61). He signed with Cornish powerhouse Penzance, but unfortunately, COVID jeopardized the opportunity.

Swanepoel set for Staffs

Swanepoel, who is set to play for Northern Cape this summer, will finally get his chance to return to the UK in 2022 having recently signed with Elworth for their North Staffs and South Cheshire Premier League campaign.