Border cricket received a blow earlier this week as stalwart Martin Walters made a sudden retirement from all forms of cricket.
Walters made the surprising decision just before Border’s match against Western Province this past weekend after receiving a full-time study and part-time job offer in Cape Town.
“I feel that it is the right time to hang up my boots,” said Walters.
“An opportunity in Cape Town popped up and I decided to take it and am starting on Monday.
“I am going back to university to finish my honours and will also be working part-time as well.”
Walters has enjoyed a solid cricketing career since making his debut for Western Province in 2005 and has seen him turn out for the Cobras, Border, Warriors and the University Sports South African team over the years.
With him turning 32 this coming Sunday, Walters was into the final years of his career and although he could have played on for a few more years, he decided that this was the best time.
“I made my debut in 2005 and it has been a really good 12 years,” explained Walters.
“It was very emotional when I told the guys during this past weekend’s match.
“I wanted to tell them on day one of the match, but I didn’t want to make it about myself and I wanted the team to stay focused, so I decided to rather tell them at tea on the final day.”
Walters retires with a first-class batting record of 3197 runs at an average of 31.65 over 65 games.
This included 10 fifties and eight half centuries, with a highest score of 180 not out that he scored during a Border record fourth-wicket partnership with Jerry Nqolo as the pair put on 294 against Northern Cape in the 2014-15 season.
On the one-day front Walters managed 1307 runs at an average of 35.32, featuring eight half centuries and one century which proved to be his highest score of 102 not out, in 43 games.
Walters also had the distinction of captaining Border over his last two seasons with the team, excelling in the role.
“I have had a great relationship with Frank and I think that is important between captain and coach which helped me a lot while captaining the team,” said Walters.
“It will now be a rebuilding phase for Border and I think it is going to be a really exciting time for the team.”
Border will now have the tough task of replacing one of their most consistent performers.
“Martin has been our best batsman over the last two seasons, it will take a while to fill that void,” admitted Plaatjes.
“He stepped into the captaincy superbly and led the team with distinction.
“We will miss him here, but I believe that he will excel at whatever he chooses to do, as he did on the cricket pitch.”
Border star exits from the crease
Walters made the surprising decision just before Border’s match against Western Province this past weekend after receiving a full-time study and part-time job offer in Cape Town.
“I feel that it is the right time to hang up my boots,” said Walters.
“An opportunity in Cape Town popped up and I decided to take it and am starting on Monday.
“I am going back to university to finish my honours and will also be working part-time as well.”
Walters has enjoyed a solid cricketing career since making his debut for Western Province in 2005 and has seen him turn out for the Cobras, Border, Warriors and the University Sports South African team over the years.
With him turning 32 this coming Sunday, Walters was into the final years of his career and although he could have played on for a few more years, he decided that this was the best time.
“I made my debut in 2005 and it has been a really good 12 years,” explained Walters.
“It was very emotional when I told the guys during this past weekend’s match.
“I wanted to tell them on day one of the match, but I didn’t want to make it about myself and I wanted the team to stay focused, so I decided to rather tell them at tea on the final day.”
Walters retires with a first-class batting record of 3197 runs at an average of 31.65 over 65 games.
This included 10 fifties and eight half centuries, with a highest score of 180 not out that he scored during a Border record fourth-wicket partnership with Jerry Nqolo as the pair put on 294 against Northern Cape in the 2014-15 season.
On the one-day front Walters managed 1307 runs at an average of 35.32, featuring eight half centuries and one century which proved to be his highest score of 102 not out, in 43 games.
Walters also had the distinction of captaining Border over his last two seasons with the team, excelling in the role.
“I have had a great relationship with Frank and I think that is important between captain and coach which helped me a lot while captaining the team,” said Walters.
“It will now be a rebuilding phase for Border and I think it is going to be a really exciting time for the team.”
Border will now have the tough task of replacing one of their most consistent performers.
“Martin has been our best batsman over the last two seasons, it will take a while to fill that void,” admitted Plaatjes.
“He stepped into the captaincy superbly and led the team with distinction.
“We will miss him here, but I believe that he will excel at whatever he chooses to do, as he did on the cricket pitch.”
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