Ashes cricket has season plenty of stars over its rich, fabled history – and a good few of those England and Australian players have hailed from South Africa. Take a look at nine of the best Ashes Cricketers of South African Origin.
Kevin Pietersen – Ashes Cricketers Of South African Origin
Arguably the most famous of the lot on this list, the Pietermaritzburg-born Pietersen played provincial cricket for KwaZulu-Natal before pursuing a county and international career in England. He played 27 of his 104 Tests in Ashes cricket, plundering many Australian bowlers throughout.
Jonathan Trott – Ashes Cricketers Of South African Origin
A Western Province and South Africa Under-19 batsman before relocating to England, the Cape Town-born Trott played a dozen Ashes Tests. His Test average against Australia of 48.26 was some four runs more than his career aggregate of 48.26. He event took an Ashes wicket – that of Brad Haddin at The Oval in 2013.
Andrew Strauss – Ashes Cricketers Of South African Origin
Born in Johannesburg, bred in England, Strauss was England’s captain for a significant period. He led them to two Ashes series titles, with tactical acumen and gritty left-handed batting akin to former Proteas captain Graeme Smith. After retiring from playing, he served as England’s director of cricket.
Matt Prior – Ashes Cricketers Of South African Origin
Like Strauss, Prior was born in Johannesburg before moving to England. An eventual, decent successor to 2005 Ashes winner Geraint Jones, wicketkeeper-batsman Prior played more Tests against Australia than any other country. Solid behind the stumps and down the order, his finest moment against the old enemy was a gutsy 118 in Sydney in 2011.
Jason Roy – Ashes Cricketers Of South African Origin
A resounding 80 percent of the Durban-born Roy’s five-Test career was against Australia. All four of his appearances in the Ashes came during the 2019 series, when he consistently failed, including four consecutive single-figure scores. He remains a key figure for his adopted country in limited-overs cricket, but is evidently too techinically deficient for the longest format of the international game.
Dawid Malan – Ashes Cricketers Of South African Origin
Another South African-born England cricketer trialled in Tests for a short period, Malan has roots in the Cape and represented Bellville Cricket Club in Western Province Cricket Association club competition. Unlike Roy, Malan has done well in Test cricket against Australia. His average of 42.55 against them is almost a full 15 runs more than his career aggregate of 27.84.
Keaton Jennings – Ashes Cricketers Of South African Origin
The son of former South Africa Under-19 head coach Ray Jennings, Jennings junior played for Gauteng and South Africa Under-19 prior to his time with England. He has been dropped and recalled by England on a couple of occasions. Provided he impresses in the 2021 County Championship, Jennings will almost definitely be involved in the 2020-21 Ashes, even if only as a backup batsman in the greater squad.
Marnus Labuschagne – Ashes Cricketers Of South African Origin
Australia’s talisman from Klerksdorp, Labuschagne has come a long way since acting as Steven Smith’s concussion substitute. The animated, unorthodox Labuschagne is a veritable character in world cricket with his eccentric leaves and comedic on-field chirps. He will be a key playmaker in the Ashes later this year.
Kepler Wessels – Ashes Cricketers Of South African Origin
Indeed, the first 24 of Wessels’ 40 Tests were played for England before captaining South Africa. His time with the Aussies started and effectively ended against England in the Ashes. The steely left-hander collected a patient 162 in his very first Test innings against a challenging England bowling attack spearheaded by Ian Botham and Bob Willis in Brisbane.
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