Hitting sixes in the hills of Scotland

Berto Basson will soon be winging his way to Scotland on a cricket contract

Berto Basson is over the moon to have landed a cricket contract at Irvine Cricket Club in North Ayrshire, Scotland. And the talented leg spinner and opening batsman will be leaving on 20 April to take part in their first division league until 15 September. Having completing his Matric last year at Grey College, on the day Berto was going to register for his law degree, he heard the good news and immediately the stuffy world of law went out of the window to be replaced with dreams of hitting sixes in the hills of Scotland. Although he did his schooling in Bloemfontein, Berto has ties to Empangeni with dad Albert being one of uThungulu’s senior cricket umpires and mom Verena a sports coach at St Catherine’s School.

Contract
Berto was helped by uThungulu Cricket Captain, Garry Park, who plays in the English county league, to secure an agent, who then organised a contract. He will be travelling and staying with Sammy-Joe Avontuur, who plays professional cricket for the South Western District in South Africa. Besides training for three hours every day, Berto will also coach young cricketers. ‘With the sun going down so late there in summer, we will train from 6-9pm. ‘Match days are generally on a Saturday, with the odd game on a Sunday, and Pro20s on a Friday.’ Berto has played cricket and hockey for the Free State since the age of 14. ‘I like hockey, but I love cricket! ‘Hockey is great for the adrenalin rush, but cricket is a gentlemen’s game.’ Since suffering torn ligaments in his shoulder six weeks ago, he has been working hard on his rehab and hopes to be in his best form when the Scottish league gets underway in April.