Gentle giant Jordan lets rip
He's local, he's quick, and he has a big bat
THE imposing sight of 1.95m pace bowler Neill Jordan running in at fill tilt, delivering beamers at 135km/h, makes even the most confident batsman shake in his boots.
Yet, off the pitch he is a gentle giant that loves hanging out with his wife, kids and friends.
The 24-year-old speed merchant who recently returned home after plying his trade in England, is currently a student teacher at Grantham Park Primary School.
Despite his impressive cricket resume, Jordan also plays social golf and darts for Lappa Boys.
‘My love for cricket began at a young age. I played all the way through my schooling career before representing Maties (University of Stellenbosch) in 2010-2011 while completing my sport marketing diploma’.
He first started playing club cricket for Felixton in Grade 8 (2005) and still plays for the club when available, winning the local first division T20 league and Saturday 24 over 8 ball League a handful of times.
He plays for RH Construction uThungulu in the Castle Premier League and has scored three half tons and taken five-wicket hauls on four occasions.
His best bowling figures for the team came this year against African Warriors, where he posted figures of 5/15 in 10 overs.
He has represented the KZN Country Districts team in the South African Rural Cricket League since 2012, scoring three fifties.
His latest achievement was making the South African Country Districts team in 2014/2015.
Last year he went to Shropshire in England to play for Broseley Cricket Club in the Premier League.
Whilst there he knocked six fifties and took seven five-wicket hauls, with career best figures of 8/21 in 15.
He was the top ranked bowler in the league with 71 wickets in 17 games and the eighth ranked batsman with 565 runs in 16 innings at an average of 29.
After impressing at the club, he has been offered a contract and will return in April until September as the international club professional and will coach the junior players in his spare time.
‘One highlight for me in England was when I was invited to play in a fund-raising game with ex-international cricketers. I played for the Invitational XI against Shropshire Cricket Club with top players such as West Indian Corey Colleymore and India’s Wasim Jaffer.’
‘My role model is AB de Villiers as I love his style of cricket and the way he always leads from the front. My favourite field that I have ever played on is the De Beers Oval in Kimberley as I wore my SA kit and the atmosphere and opportunity was so special.’
Neill runs twice a week to maintain his fitness and attends two net sessions a week.
‘My goal is to reach 35 wickets during the current Premier League season, increase my run total and hopefully make the SA Country Districts team again.’
