In a groundbreaking moment for Jersey cricket, Asa Tribe has made history by becoming the first cricketer from the island nation to be selected in the SA20 Auctions. Tribe will turn out of Paarl Royals, who secured his services for R200,000.
Only 21 years old, Tribe has been making the headlines with some extraordinary batting performances. Tribe celebrated his selection for the Paarl Royals by scoring his maiden first-class double century for Glamorgan on the very day.
The knock came against Northamptonshire in the English County Cricket Division 2, subsequently becoming the first batter from Jersey to score a first class double century. A sublime innings of 206 runs from 297 balls included 31 fours and two sixes along the way.
Tribe has taken the cricketing world by storm with six 50+ scores in the last six innings at a scarcely believable average of 252.66 across international and county cricket. This includes three centuries in the same week – 122*, 131* and his record breaking 175 against Papua New Guinea which is the highest score in the history of the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League 2. For context in that record-shattering innings of 175, Tribe walked in to bat when Jersey was reeling for 15 for 4, but his innings ensured Jersey finished with 261.
Currently playing in the Championship, Tribe has 667 runs in the competition from 15 innings, with two hundreds and three fifties at an average of 55.28.
The auction presents Tribe with the exciting opportunity to play in one of the biggest T20 competitions in the world. The young cricketer is expected to gain valuable experience after being able to test himself against the best players in the world come December. One amongst them will be Kumar Sangakkara, Director of Paarl Royals, who was seen on the auction table as well.
With reports suggesting that he is making a case for a potential England consideration because of the temperament and ability he puts on display every time he picks up a bat. Tribe is stamping his potential as the future of cricket.
This landmark achievement not only highlights Tribe's individual prowess but also shines a spotlight on the growing cricket talent emerging from non-traditional cricketing nations. His participation in the SA20, a top-tier Twenty20 franchise league in South Africa, is anticipated to provide him with invaluable experience and exposure, further propelling his promising career.
