Tristan Luus claimed 14 wickets to finish as the leading seam bowler in the CSA 1-Day competition. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Barely two years ago, Tristan Luus was dealing with the heartbreak of missing out on a place in the South Africa U19 squad set to participate in the ICC U19 World Cup on home soil.
It was a bitter pill to swallow after the Waterkloof learner had dominated the Cricket SA Cubs Week for Northerns where he topped the bowling charts by claiming two five-fors in Stellenbosch.
But as fate would have it, Luus was eventually called up as injury replacement and went on to star alongside Kwena Maphaka with the new ball as the Junior Proteas rode the wave of passionate home support all the way to the semi-finals.
Luus’ performances did not go unnoticed this time and he was rewarded with his first professional contract at the Dolphins before being signed up as MI Cape Town’s rookie at the Betway SA20 auction.
Fast forward, and Luus, still only 19 years old, is a double championship winner after helping both MI Cape Town to their inaugural SA20 title and the Dolphins to the Cricket SA 1-Day Cup.
The young fast bowler certainly has the Midas touch and could easily be taken along to Greyville to pick the Durban July winner such is his present good fortune.
“The feeling is unmatched at the moment,” Luus exclusively told Independent Media after claiming 2/32 in the 1-Day Cup final against Boland.
“I feel like I'm on a roll. I'm just happy that I can contribute, honestly. That the team is in a good space and that we are playing good cricket at the moment.
“My dad and I actually joke around that people still see me as a school laaitie!
“I think it was the perfect year, if I have to sum it up. The perfect way I wanted to start my year.”
Luus’ double in the showpiece at Boland Park propelled him to 14 wickets at an average of 15.78, earning him the accolade of the leading seam bowler in the 1-Day Cup competition with only a trio of spinners just a couple of wickets above him.
Luus feels his development was certainly accelerated whilst being part of the victorious MI Cape Town squad where he was exposed to a dressingroom containing legendary seam bowlers such as Kagiso Rabada and Trent Boult.
“The feeling of being around those guys is a very surreal moment,” Luus said. “I hope everyone in their life can experience winning an SA20 and being a part of such a great group.
“For me, that was a turning point in my career. I almost realised that I want this even more now. I want to experience this even more now.
“Behind the scenes, people only see the cricket part of it. It's unmatched. It's so professional and so inviting.
“These aren't just players anymore. They're like your friends almost. They're not there just to be there. They're there to socialise with you. I think cricket was only a small part of the month and a half you spent there.
“Behind the scenes it was amazing. We'd go out and enjoy a night together. We'd have supper and breakfast every day together.
Tristan Luus loved his experience with MI Cape Town during Betway SA20. Picture: Sportzpics
Image: Sportzpics
“They definitely showed me there's more to bowling than I think. They also showed me a few deliveries and a few ways I can approach certain situations.
“It's unbelievable to be around players like that. Even Rashid (Khan). They're so professional in the way they operate. The way they're so professional is just unbelievable.
“They showed me so much. From slow balls to yorkers to different actions to how to be mentally ready. It's unbelievable how much you can learn in a month and a half of just being around those guys.”
Whilst Luus appreciates the technical advice that he absorbed, he feels it was more the mental switch gained from training and playing with world-class players at MI Cape Town on a regular basis that gave him the confidence to perform at the Dolphins.
“Before the SA20, when I played for the Dolphins, there were more nerves. There was more going on,” the bespectacled fast bowler said.
“But after the SA20, after I experienced my nerves at that level and how to play at that level, I almost eased into it. Now at the Dolphins, I can almost go and just try to express myself.
“I think that's exactly what I tried to do now in the 1-Day Cup competition. It's just trying to express myself, put myself out there and just show that I can do something.”
Luus has already represented the SA Emerging XI and the teenager will most likely be included in the South Africa ‘A’ squads for their tour to the West Indies later this year, but the way his trajectory is heading he may soon be sharing the new ball with his former U19 partner Kwena Maphaka for the Proteas again.