Playing as a local here and in England, Matthew Vandrau will have to decide which local is lekker
CRICKET: Luke Alfred
THE County circuit hasn’t always been kind to South African cricketers. For every Rice, Cook or Kirsten there’s at least one Bryson, Van Zyl or Page. One of those attempting to enter the Rice/Cook category rather than lingering on the edge of obscurity is Derbyshire’s Matthew Vandrau.
Vandrau differs from many South Africans who have plied the English circuit in that he was born in England. He thus plays cricket not as an overseas professional but as an Englishman, a problem which he readily acknowledges.
“This is where things get a bit tricky — I was born over here. I came out here (to England) and play as a local; I have been playing in South Africa as a local as well, but I think that might all come to a head soon.”
When he returns to South Africa at the end of the month Vandrau admits that he needs to approach Ali Bacher and sort out the problem. His situation is further complicated by the news that Daryll Cullinan is about to sign as Derbyshire’s overseas pro for the 1995 season — a move which effectively limits his room for manoeuvre.
In the meantime Vandrau can look back on a year of modest success. He took nine wickets for Transvaal against Border on debut, and although he missed the first three games of the English season recovering from a cartilage operation, he was an ever-present in the Derbyshire side from then on.
Prior to fracturing a finger in last week’s rain- affected match against Yorkshire he had had a particularly good run: he scored 66 and took 4-53 against Kent, and then took 3-68 against Derbyshire’s traditional northern rivals before Richard Stemp hit back the return catch that brought his season to a premature end.
When asked whether he’s a better cricketer now than when he first arrived at Derbyshire, Vandrau tells that his bowling in particular has come on in “leaps and bounds”.
He puts down some of his success to the gruelling regime of county cricket, as well as playing regularly alongside players such as Devon Malcom and Phil de Freitas, but also mentions the role played by the former Derbyshire pro and now Kingsmead groundsman, Phil Russell.
“He (Phil Russell) was a spin bowler and coach (at Derby) until the end of last year. And he worked a lot with me … When I came over for the first time I regarded myself as a spinner but I didn’t bowl enough. He got me running in off a longer run-up and bowling the ball a bit quicker — he’s very good, he can pick up little things that you’re doing wrong. “
What with his chipped finger and another visit to the specialist later in the week, Vandrau’s thoughts are turning to the approaching South African summer.
With Clive Eksteen entrenched as a first-choice spinner who seldom gets selected for the national side, Vandrau wonders when his next opportunity to play A section cricket will arrive.
He confesses that he’s chomping at the bit and sees no reason why, after playing almost two full seasons for Derbyshire, he shouldn’t be playing more cricket for Transvaal.
In the short-term he’s planning on showing Cullinan around Derby. Perhaps Cullinan’s move to Border provides Vandrau with a significant clue.