Marques Ackerman

Marques is a high class top order batsman and off-spinner originally from Gauteng but now based in Durban playing for the KZN Dolphins. A dashing left-hander, Marques can be absolutely brutal with the bat and scores his runs quickly in all formats, including a strike rate of 77+ runs per 100 balls in first class cricket, which puts him very high on the all time list of highest career strike rates in First Class cricket history. He is also a more than capable right-arm Off or Leg Spinner, who despite being used sparingly in the professional game, has shown he is more than useful ball in hand.

Having progressed through the Gauteng age groups, representing the province from U15-U19, despite not statistically dominating, he was always seen as a player of great promise. As he continued to gain selection in various franchise academy tournaments, his game continued to grow and he was awarded his debut across all three formats early on in season 2015-16 following and excellent Academy performance at the National Franchise academies tournament.

Marques was a regular for North West University in the National Varisties competitions and went on to also represent South Africa U19 on their 2014 tour of England. Having relocated to Natal, Marques has become a provincial regular and is a frequent sight in Franchise red-ball cricket in particular.

In his first UK stint as a professional, Marques joined Shaw CC in the Greater Manchester Cricket League, scoring 987 runs and helping himself to 61 wickets in a dominant display that was cut short due to injury sustained in a nasty off-field incident. He returned to the UK in 2019, joining Darwen CC for their Lancashire League campaign. Whilst runs were generally hard to come by, Marques’ standout performance was a brutal 138* (73) in a T20 vs Nelson CC. His bowling was consistent and he did an exceptional job, taking 26 wickets @ 13.88.

He returned for a brief stay in 2023, joining Knowle & Dorridge in the ECB Birmingham Premier League, scoring 371 runs @ 53.00 in a solid first appearance in the UK since COVID

Seeking a return to the UK next summer, Marques will be a great pick up for a club seeking a dominant top order Batsman capable of contributing with the ball next summer. Marques’ wife will be travelling with him for a portion of the summer.