Tony de Zorzi

Biography

Tony de Zorzi is a South African cricketer known for his elegant left-handed batting and leadership qualities. Born on August 28, 1997, in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, he has progressed through the ranks of South African cricket to represent the national team in both Test and One Day International (ODI) formats.

Early Life and Domestic Career

De Zorzi's cricketing journey began in Johannesburg, where he played for various age-group teams, including Gauteng Under-17s, Gauteng Under-19s, and Lions Cubs. His leadership skills were evident early on, as he captained the South Africa Under-19 team in the 2016 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. He made his Twenty20 debut for Northerns against Kenya on September 16, 2016, and shortly after, his first-class debut in the Sunfoil 3-Day Cup on October 28, 2016. De Zorzi's domestic career includes stints with teams like Titans, Western Province, and participation in leagues such as the Mzansi Super League and SA20.

International Career

De Zorzi made his Test debut for South Africa on February 28, 2023, against the West Indies, earning Test cap number 356. He debuted in ODIs on March 18, 2023, also against the West Indies. In December 2023, he scored his maiden ODI century, an unbeaten 119*, against India at St George's Park, helping South Africa level the series.

In October 2024, during a Test match against Bangladesh in Chattogram, De Zorzi achieved his first Test century, scoring an unbeaten 141 despite battling cramps in challenging conditions.

Career Statistics (as of December 29, 2024)

Tests:

Matches: 11

Runs: 600

Average: 30.00

100s/50s: 1/2

Highest Score: 177​

ODIs:

Matches: 12

Runs: 449

Average: 40.81

100s/50s: 1/1

Highest Score: 119*

First-Class (FC):

Matches: 75

Runs: 4,038

Average: 35.11

100s/50s: 8/18

Highest Score: 304*

List A (LA):

Matches: 95

Runs: 3,253

Average: 38.72

100s/50s: 6/18

Highest Score: 143

Notable Achievements

Captained South Africa in the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

Scored a triple-century (304*) in domestic first-class cricket, showcasing his potential for long innings.

Achieved maiden international centuries in both Test and ODI formats within two years of his debut.