Cricket legend Fanie De Villiers had guests enthralled at the launch of Abrey Eco Park on Wednesday, as he shared stories from behind the scenes when SA cricket first emerged from isolation.
“Things are so different today, you can’t get away with the same kind of things in the system,” Fanie said, comparing the cricket environment in the late ’90s to today. Always one of the more entertaining cricketers, Fanie is remembered for his broad smile and hilarious antics on and off the field.
“We used to love to stir things up in the dressing room.” Fanie remembers one particular test, where SA was playing Pakistan at the Wanderers. “Pat Symcox went in as night watchman, with Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar shooting balls in at 140km per hour.”
Symcox managed to hold his own while four or five other wickets fell, getting pinned by dozens of high-speed deliveries along the way. Bruised and battered, and just two balls before tea, Symcox was run out on 49 after a breakdown in communication with a young and agile Jonty Rhodes. “Pat was still sitting on his bat and Jonty was standing next to him, saying ‘Good luck’.”
What followed was some very colourful language that Rhodes was too embarrassed to repeat!
On the topic of national captains, Fanie emphasised that popularity is key. “Look at Hansie – he was the first Dutchmen that you [English Natalians] liked! We need someone like AB de Villiers. He’s got the looks, he’s got the personality and his surname isn’t too bad either.”
Abrey Eco Park is a new upmarket office park development in Abrey Road, adjacent to the Kloof Country Club, where the developers have created high-quality, customised office space with a ‘green’ focus. The 4 600 square metre development offers double storey units that are stylish, functional, and energy efficient.
Click here for more on Abrey Eco Park
