Somerset star Roelof Van der Merwe already caught the attention of cricket fans with sensational all-round performances in 2011 CLT20. His tidy bowling, explosive batting, dare devil spirit and never say die attitude mesmerised cricket lovers like me. When Yusuf Pathan and Jacques Kallis are decimating Somerset bowlers, Van der Merwe took the ball and controlled them with clever bowling. Then, Van der Merwe brutally attacked KKR bowlers on a slow Hyderabad wicket as if it was a batting paradise. This South African bowling allrounder plays for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and for Titans in the South African domestic cricket. He played for South Africa in both T20 and one day formats but failed to establish his place in the squad.  CLT20 History: 2008: His team, Nashua Titans qualified for CLT20 but tournament was cancelled due to terrorist attacks in Mumbai. 2009 & 2010: His IPL team (Royal challengers) qualified for Champions League but he was not picked. 2011: He is playing for Somerset as Titans and Delhi Daredevils failed to qualify for CLT20.  Van der Merwe performance in 2011 CLT20 cricket: 1. Against Auckland: 25/1 in 4 overs & 18 runs in 16 balls. 2. Against Kolkata Knight Riders: 23/2 in 4 overs & 40 runs in 25 balls. 3. Against Kolkata Knight Riders: 21/0 in 4 overs & 73 runs in 40 balls.  High-lights of Van der Merwe career: 1. He played for South Africa at the Under-19 World Cup in 2004. 2. Third leading wicket-taker in PRO20 series in 2007-08 – 13 wickets in 30 overs. 3. South Africa’s leading run-scorer and wicket-taker in the 2008 Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes 4. Leading wicket-taker in the MTN domestic championship in 2008-09 – 30 wickets in 70 overs. 5. South African player of the year in 2008-09. Cricket needs more fighters like Van der Merwe.  … [Read more...]