15 March 2023
Chad Bowes, who matriculated from Kearsney College in 2010, has been named in the New Zealand one-day international squad to take on Sri Lanka later this month. His international debut comes at the age of 30.
A prolific run-scorer in school, Bowes captained South Africa at the 2012 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, where he led his side to a third-place finish.
That team also included future test cricketers Quinton de Kock and Theunis de Bruyn, as well as Glenwood’s Prenelan Subrayen and Maritzburg College’s Calvin Savage, both of whom would later represent the Dolphins.
Bowes opened the batting alongside Quinton de Kock, scoring 115 against Namibia, 46 against Sri Lanka, another 46 as South Africa thrashed England by 103 runs in the quarterfinals and, believe it or not, 46 against Australia in the semi-finals, which the Aussies won by four wickets.
Despite that early success, opportunities at provincial level were limited, however, and Bowes chose to move to New Zealand in late 2015 to pursue his cricket dreams.
“I am willing to make any sacrifice”
He had voiced his aspirations in an interview when in grade 11 to SA School Sport, saying: “I am willing to make any sacrifice necessary to become a professional cricketer. Each level you go up to and play cricket requires greater sacrifices. I don’t want to be a local club cricketer, and go and play on Sunday and have a jol. I want to play professionally, so whatever sacrifice is required I will do it.”
Four months after arriving in New Zealand, Bowes made his debut for Canterbury in February 2016. Towards the end of that year, he recorded his first century for the team. The following year he tallied three centuries.
Run scoring feats
Since he made his Canterbury debut, he has been one of the side’s most dependable batsmen and was the leading run scorer in the Plunket Shield, New Zealand’s first-class competition, in 2017/18. In the Ford Trophy one-day competition, he topped the run scoring charts for Canterbury in 2018/19, and in the Super Smash T20 competition, he was also the leading run-getter that same season.
This season, Bowes leads Canterbury with 373 runs at 46.63 in list A competition, and 359 runs at 39.89 in T20s.
Commenting on the former Kearsney College captain’s selection for the forthcoming ODI series, which begins on 25 March, New Zealand coach Gary Stead told ESPNCricinfo: “Chad has been impressive for a number of seasons at the top of the order for Canterbury, as well as being an excellent fielder.”
He may be wearing a Black Cap now, but many in maroon will be watching closely and wishing Chad Bowes, after his long and patient wait, a fruitful and rewarding international career.
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