Tristan Stubbs 2.0 ready to lead Sunrisers Eastern Cape both on and off the field in SA20

Tristan Stubbs is growing up. While he still claims to be the free-spirited surfer boy from Knysna that burst on to the South African cricket scene with such vibrant energy almost four years ago now, there’s no doubt he is maturing. 

Stubbs, 25, has finally moved out of his “digs” he shared with his two Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University flat mates, and purchased his first home.

Equally, he has been appointed Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain for the Betway SA20 Season 4, replacing none other than the two-times champion Aiden Markram. 

It’s the type of responsibility that Stubbs would have sidestepped faster than Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe in the past, especially since he had not led any team since his schooldays at nearby Grey High prior to the Sunrisers’ warm-up game at St George’s Park on Tuesday evening. 

But instead, Stubbs 2.0 is now relishing the opportunity to make an impact on the game more than just with the bat after consultation with coach Adrian Birrell. 

"Before the auction, the plan was obviously to get Aiden (Markram, former SEC captain) back but Adi (Birrell, SEC head coach) said to me that if we don't get Aiden I might have to do the job. And then we didn't get him. When Adi confirmed it to me, that's when I realised it was actually happening," Stubbs said at the Betway SA20 captain’s day.

"It's pretty cool. I have captained a bit at school and now I'll get the opportunity to represent and lead my province. It's cool to actually use my cricket knowledge to try and affect the game."

Stubbs will have the benefit of some experienced heads alongside him like former Proteas white-ball captain Quinton de Kock and his old school mate Matthew Breetzke, who recently led the Proteas ODI team, to lean on for support though in the clutch moments. 

While admitting he is still learning the trade, he does want to continue the Sunrisers’ successful culture of playing for each other by stressing that the Gqeberha boys make the newbies feel at home as quickly as possible. 

"One challenge I have for the local boys is: let's really make sure we show the overseas boys what South Africa is all about," Stubbs said. "Make sure we play as hard as we can on the field, but off the field, we show what our country has to offer."

"It's like a small, big town, so you sort of know everyone," he said. "I've sat in those stands and watched games. And I know when you go for breakfast, you see people and they talk about the game. They love the game. I feel you get a lot more support and people watch the game a lot more than at other grounds, where they might come more for the party." 

Undoubtedly the best way for Stubbs to lead is through big performances on the field, and he feels he is ready to contribute to the team’s success after a bit of time away from the international game to prepare for South Africa’s premier domestic T20 competition. 

“Often you only get two or three days before a T20 comp, but we’ve had a good build-up,” Stubbs said.

“It's almost a completely different technique (playing T20 cricket). You are not meant to have a front elbow. Just clear that left leg.

“That’s what we are trying to find again. It may look messy but it's effective.”

The Sunrisers open their Betway SA20 Season 4 campaign against the Paarl Royals at Boland Park on Saturday, December 27.