SAM DALLING: Back at Essex for the T20 Blast, Delport discusses remaining in England, representing South Africa and becoming one of the format's most destructive batsmen
“If that’s the decision then so be it. I can’t control it – I just want to know what direction we are going in.”
Simple words from Essex star Cameron Delport. No hint of arrogance or entitlement, he just seeks the clarity that will allow him to plan his future. We’d all be the same. Life is precious. It’s short and not to be wasted.
Delport is back speaking ahead of his second stint with Essex in the T20 Blast having signed a two-year contract over the winter. That deal was done with him as a Kolpak; a status he currently enjoys courtesy of an ancestral visa.
However, there’s a problem; Brexit is set to slam the door firmly shut on that particular method of qualification, meaning his eligibility for 2021 hangs in the balance.
Without a European passport to rely on, his fate lies in the hands of the ECB who are currently deliberating of whether to waive the regulations that will prevent him continuing as a local.
“It’s a very uncertain time," he told The Cricketer. "It’s the ECB’s choice but they haven’t said anything to us yet. I appreciate they’ve got a lot on their plate at the moment with COVID and the Hundred but it’s also about looking after the players which they’ve always said they want to do and I don’t think they have.
“If there are no players they won’t have the game so I feel they’ve got to be a bit better by communicating. These are our careers and they don’t last forever. It’s a rocky area. It’s not a great boat to be in but everything happens for a reason so I’m sure it will all play out.”
Delport desperately wants the chance to see out his contract at Essex. He’s a man of principle and is determined to honour his end of the bargain. More importantly, though he loves it at the club and wants to repay their faith.
Not bad for a home debut - 129 off 49 deliveries.
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) July 19, 2019
Take a bow, Cameron Delport...#T20Blastpic.twitter.com/JTfjsLR1wG
Naturally, though thoughts have turned to what may lie around the corner and, somewhat surprisingly, he’s yet to win a cap for his native South Africa. But once his time in England draws to a close he fully intends on righting that particular wrong.
“I want to play international cricket," he revealed. "I’ve said to Bouch (Mark Boucher) I want to put my name in the hat for SA T20 side.
“I’m still young and getting into the prime of my batting. But I’ve told him I don’t want an easy way in. When my time at Essex is up I want to go back home, get a domestic contract and score some runs. I think with my experience I can add a lot of value for South Africa in the top order.
“I’ve played in all these leagues without any international experience and most of the guys I’ve done well against have all been international players. I don’t see why I can’t have a good crack at it. That’s my goal but I have to see what the decision is with the ECB before I start making plans.”
Over the past five years, Delport has carved himself a reputation as one of the world’s leading T20 batsmen. In 2019, he was among the top five T20 runs scorers worldwide, smashing no fewer than 1,381 runs.
Little wonder that his first-class appearances are rarer than Willy Wonka’s golden tickets.
Three years and counting since he last donned the whites back for Leicestershire in a Division Two clash against Glamorgan at Grace Road. About as far as you can get from the glitz and glamour of the world stage. Not that he minds. Delport is no mercenary; he just wants to play the game. Any time, any place, anywhere.
And, as is so often the case in life, his journey to T20 stardom grew out of necessity more than anything else.
“I’ve never regretted the decision to stop playing first-class cricket because it happened naturally," he explained. “The Dolphins had an administration problem and I was only of the guys that took the fall and lost my contract. I had absolutely nothing. I was very upset as I’d played for them since I was in high school. It was a big bump in the road for me.
Cameron Delport hopes to fulfill both years of his Essex deal
“I decided to go down Kolpak route and Leicester wanted me so I came over for the T20 just for five games. They gave me a two-year white-ball deal almost as soon as I got back to SA and I was more than happy with that. It’s just what they wanted and all I had at that stage of my career – I’d have taken whatever I could get.”
It’s fair to say Delport has gone on to flourish since his hand was forced, turning out for sides in the Caribbean, Bangladesh, Australia and Afghanistan. He even had a stint in the IPL with KKR although such was the strength of that side he wasn’t able to force his way into the line- up.
But it’s his time in the Pakistan Super League that he speaks most fondly about, explaining that the tournament is about far more cricket.
“The first time playing in Pakistan - seeing how excited the guys were and everybody buzzing to watch cricket back in the country after it being in the UAE - was incredible," said Delport. “The most fortunate thing is you get to experience different cultures, different people - the guys invite you to their family houses for dinner.
“A few of the Pakistan boys have come and played in South Africa and we entertain them and take them out. You get to learn all these different cultures; there’s a lot of off-field stuff where we go get away from the game. It’s like a brotherhood. You’ll know these guys, and be friends with them, for life.”
Much is made of being an impact player these days and Delport certainly announced his arrival in Essex with a bang. In front of a raucous home crowd at Fortress Chelmsford, last July the left-hander bludgeoned his way to a 38 ball hundred against Surrey.
He went on to make 129 from just 49 deliveries, in a knock that included a mammoth 14 maximums. Hero status achieved within the hour.
But when pressed on his antics Delport preferred to deflect attention to his partner in crime Dan Lawrence. He and the home-grown starlet racked up 135 in less than seven overs, with Lawrence helping himself to a 17-ball half-century.
The youngster can count himself unlucky not to have made a test bow this summer having spent much of the past few months in the bubble as a reserve. No matter though; Delport believes it won’t be long before his teammate bursts onto the international stage.
BOB WILLIS TROPHY TEAM OF THE WEEK
“Watching him from the other end was brilliant. He matched me in batting and scoring the boundaries. It was unbelievable,” he gushed. “Normally you let one guy do the hitting and the other guy rotates but his striking was phenomenal.
“I think he’s going to have a long England career. It’s a pity that he hasn’t played this summer and I’m a bit surprised they never gave him a little shot there. I don’t think his debut is that far around the corner. He’s got a massive future ahead of him. I’m excited to watch him grow and I will keep an eye on him for sure.”
A few months on from introducing himself to the locals in style, Delport had another winner’s medal to add to his collection.
His impressive tally of 409 runs helped his side secure the title and they went on to make it a domestic double when they were crowned county champions following a nail-biting finish at Somerset as week later.
They’ve come out of the blocks firing in the Bob Willis Trophy and will be hoping to continue their hot streak in the upcoming T20s. It’s set to be a golden period for the Chelmsford outfit who boast a host of academy graduates in their side.
In addition to Lawrence, Skipper Tom Westley has been at the club for well over a decade, Sir Alistair Cook needs no introduction and their seam attack is spearheaded by local talents Jamie Porter and Sam Cook. Even Ryan ten Doeschate can now stake a claim to be Essex’s favourite adopted son; few would argue against him being awarded the keys to the City.
And Delport believes the focus on bringing players up through the ranks is now paying dividends.
“Everyone just buys into the team culture,” he added. “A lot of the guys have been around for a while now so there's not a lot of chopping and changing. It’s nice that its local Essex guys that keep producing the results and that’s a massive factor as well.
“If you can keep a core squad for quite a long time that will definitely help with results and I think that’s been happening at Essex. When you've got a squad like that with a lot of faith in each other, guys start to get to know their games a bit better and start trusting themselves.”
Professional sport can be intense at the best of times. That’s stepped up a gear when you appear in the world’s leading. Key to survival is finding a way to relax away from the game. All that pressure will take its toll otherwise.
Delport's reputation as a gun T20 batsman is known world-wide
And Delport finds comfort in his newly developed taste for fine wine. It’s a pastime that brings him great joy while also allowing him to spend time with friends and family. The perfect mix. But was it love at first sight?
“In my early 20s I didn’t really like wine but as I got older I started enjoying it. My uncle is a French collector so whenever we go to America he spoils us with some good Burgundies and Bordeauxs.
“I’ve carried on from him and pulled together a little collection of my own. Me and my partner now enjoy a good bottle of wine now and again. We talk about it, share tastings and talk about the notes – it’s a pretty thing cool to do.
“I bought some bottles to keep as they will get better through the years but I don’t really buy to invest. I’d probably just end up drinking it anyway!”.
Speaking to Delport it becomes apparent immediately that family is a central part of his life. Last year, he travelled halfway across the world in a brief gap between games to pick up the prestigious Walter Lawrence Trophy for that knock against Surrey.
To be in the long-room at Lords was wonderful but he took most delight in the fact his Auntie and Uncle were present for the ceremony. And his mum was a huge influence on his career.
She was there to pick him up and dust him off when he lost his Dolphins contract and she travelled around the world taking great pleasure watching her son go about his business. Sadly she passed away not so long ago but that doesn’t stop her playing a huge part in Delport’s success.
“My mum was a big pusher of me in my younger days,” he said. “She was the reason why I played. I wanted to do it for her. She loved watching me, supporting me and coming over to the different tournaments. It’s a big thing now that I’ve carried on that legacy and keep doing it for her.”
Wherever she’s watching from now, one thing is for sure; she’ll be mighty proud of her lad.
For unrivalled coverage of the county season, subscribe to The Cricketer and receive four issues for £15
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.