Thami Tsolekile

Thami Tsolekile
Personal information
Full name Thami Lungisa Tsolekile
Born 9 October 1980 (1980-10-09) (age 31)
Cape Town, South Africa
Batting style Right-handed
Bowling style Right arm off spin
Role Wicket-keeper
International information
National side South Africa
Test debut (cap 294) 20 November 2004 v India
Last Test 17 December 2004 v England
Domestic team information
Years Team
1998–2004 Western Province
2004–2009 Cape Cobras
2009–present Lions
Career statistics
Competition Test FC LA T20
Matches 3 101 100 18
Runs scored 47 3140 736 266
Batting average 9.40 25.95 17.11 53.20
100s/50s 0/0 2/16 0/0 0/1
Top score 22 141 44 52
Catches/stumpings 6/0 313/25 154/16 17/3
Source: CricketArchive, 28 November 2009

Thami Lungisa Tsolekile (born 9 October 1980) is a South African cricketer who has played three Test matches for South Africa as a wicket-keeper in 2004–05. He was educated in Cape Town at Pinelands High. He failed to pass 25 runs with the bat, and though his glovework has been described as sound by Cricinfo journalist Neil Manthorp, it was not enough to keep his place against established wicket-keeper Mark Boucher. Tsolekile's selection over Boucher also prompted commentaries in the press that positive discrimination had gone too far.[1]

In first class cricket, Tsolekile was a regular wicket-keeper and captain of the Cape Cobras. At the beginning of the 2009/10 season, Tsolekile moved up to Johannesburg to go play for the bizhub Highveld Lions, after losing his place in the Cape Cobras side to Ryan Canning. During the season so far, he has scored his second first-class century and improved his highest first-class score to 151 not out in a drawn match against Warriors at East London. He was involved in a South African record partnership of 365 for the sixth wicket with opener Stephen Cook, who went on to make a record 390. [1]

He also played hockey for his country at international level, scoring on debut, and played soccer during his childhood.

References

  1. ^ Manthrop, Neil (December 14, 2004). "The legacy of positive discrimination". ESPN CricInfo. ESPN. http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/135881.html. Retrieved June 19, 2011.