Tony de Zorzi

Tony de Zorzi is one of South African Cricket’s most promising talents. A natural leader, the gifted Left-hander is predominantly a Top Order Batsman. His brutal stroke making and blatant disregard for opposition bowling attacks has grown stronger and stronger. Originally from Johannesburg, Tony was a regular selection and standout performer for Gauteng through the age groups having first been selected at Under 13 Level to contest the Cricket South Africa National championships. He would appear at U15, U17 and U19 level, with his performances not only resulting in selection for the South African U19 side but he was also chosen to lead them into the 2016 ICC Under 19 World Cup in Bangladesh. He made his Test and ODI debuts in early 2023.

At the conclusion of his tenure in the National U19 system, Tony opted to commence his studies, heading to Pretoria University in 2016. TUKS as they are best known, deliver the country’s most outstanding Varsity Cricket program and have produced too many First Class players to name along with securing a number of Varsity and CSA National Club Championship titles. By late 2016, Tony had been included in the Northerns squad for the 2016 Africa T20 Cup and made his debut against Kenya in the September.

In October 2016, Tony made both his First-Class & List A debut’s for Northerns in the 2016–17 Sunfoil 3-Day Cup/Provincial One-Day challenge’s respectively. On First-Class debut, Tony arrived at the crease with Northerns in strife at 5-84. He left at 8-313 having compiled a patient, 4-hour long, 86 (167) including a an ultimately game winning 180-run partnership with Cobus Pienaar. Before the end of that first summer as a full-time Professional, Tony would be a regular feature for the Titans Franchise, particularly in white-ball cricket. His aggressive white-ball performances were not lost higher up the CSA structures and in August 2017, was named in the Pretoria Mavericks’ squad for what should have been the first season of the T20 Global League. He would later go on to play for the Tshwane Spartans in the first two editions of the Mzansi Super League in 2018 & 2019 having been at his belligerent best in the Abu Dhabi T20 in October 2018, scoring 106* (57 balls) in the tournament opener.

Selected to captain the South African Emerging players in 2018 & 2019, by summer 2019-20, his confidence and stocks grew quickly, in both read and white ball cricket. After scoring his maiden double century in first-class cricket, with an unbeaten 213 runs against Cape Cobras (who would sign him from 2020-21), Tony ended the season with a bang, scoring 479 runs in 10 games in the Momentum One Day Cup.

Tony was selected for South Africa A for the first time in 2021 and has gone on to represent the A side on 9 occasions, scoring 515 runs @ 46.82 in the process including a stellar 117 against India A in November 2021.

Prior to his big 2021-22 season, Tony had spent the Northern summer in the UK. Tony joined Burwell & Exning CC in the ECB East Anglian Premier League and whilst it was a season interrupted by a South African ‘A’ tour, Tony out in a strong performance, scoring 403 runs @ 44.78 in just 9 innings with a best of 124 against Swardeston CC.

Tony was selected to make his Test & ODI Debut’s in early 2023, hitting a best of 85 in his 2nd test. What was most impressive was the fact he looked like he’d been in the test side for years, such was the confidence he exuded so early in his International Career.

Seeking a return to the UK next summer, Tony will be a great pick up for any UK county or club seeking a genuine Top Order star. Tony will be travelling with his partner.