Dillon du Preez by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

D du Preez

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DateLine: 17th April 2009

 

Dillon du Preez had one of the more interesting entries into the first-class game when he was forced to bowl for two days for Free State against the West Indies as the tourists amassed 618. The Port Elizabeth-born fast bowler didn't lose faith, however, picking up 3 for 75 in 29 overs including Shivnarine Chanderpaul as his maiden wicket, bowled for 245. He also scored 56 and took 2 for 34 in the second innings. Du Preez had moved to Bloemfontein from the Eastern Cape in 1989 and attended a coaching academy run by internationals Corrie van Zyl and Rudolf Steyn. He made slow but steady progress through the ranks of the South Africa Under-17 and Free State Academy teams before his meeting with the West Indies in December 2003.

 

Du Preez was far from a permanent fixture in the Eagles team in the first three seasons of franchise cricket, but he burst into prominence by taking 55 wickets in the Eagles' triumphant 2007-08 campaign. An accurate bowler, though not out and out express, Du Preez also contributes useful runs in the lower-order, making his maiden first-class century in 2007-08. He signed with Leicestershire as a Kolpak player in 2008.