Foxies move quickly to seal Cebo’s return

FOX Lodge have made a significant signing ahead of the revamped North West Cricket Union’s 2021 season with the signing of Cebo Tshiki, who returns to Ballymagorry for a third time.

The prolific batsman played for the Foxies in 2017 and 2018 when he weighed in with 1,560 runs, including a high score of 162, so it’s not surprising skipper Aaron Heywood is delighted that Tshiki is returning.

“He was brilliant the last two times out,” beamed the 23-year-old. 

“Whenever we knew the leagues were possibly merging for the new structure and we were all going to get a tier five pro, there was only one man we really targeted.

“We gave him a message to see how he felt about things and he was dying to get back as well, so that made things a hell of a lot easier.

“He brings fairly good balance to the side because we know what Cebo can do with the bat but he’s under appreciated with the ball. He took some very good, very big wickets for us the last time round. As a left armer he is a different option for us.”

The fact that Tshiki has played in the North West before was one of the biggest positives for Fox Lodge when considering re-signing the South African.

“It’s a major part of it, how the boys settle in because you can be the best of players but if you don’t settle – we’ve had it before – it can turn into a nightmare of a season,” Heywood added. “So that was a definite plus and he’s a top man too.”

But as well as offering plenty on the pitch, the club is looking forward to utilising his experience and abilities off the park as well.

“We’re looking to get him more involved in the coaching this time because last time he would have done more coaching with the adults and he was quite good that way, one to one. But this year we’re going to put more emphasis on the youth team and getting them more involved with the professional,” Heywood said.

“It’s about more than just his performances on the pitch and everyone is delighted to get him back, to get the deal over the line.”

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