Tristan Stubbs made his debut for South Africa in 2022 against England at Bristol. He set the international stage on fire with a blazing 28-ball-72, which included 8 mammoth sixes. Although South Africa didn’t win the match, Stubbs’ prowess in the T20 format was on full display during that innings.
The 23-year-old middle-order batter burst onto the scene in the 2021 CSA T20 Challenge when he played a couple of noteworthy innings for Warriors against high-quality bowling attacks. In the second edition of this tournament, Stubbs smashed 31-ball-80 with 8 sixes in a lone batting effort for Warriors. In the next two matches for Warriors, Stubbs played crucial knocks of 65 and 47 runs.
In the 2022 edition, Stubbs scored 293 runs in 7 innings at an outstanding strike rate of 183. He also hit 23 sixes, the most by any batter; the second-highest was Pieter Malan with 13 sixes in the tournament. This impressive run at a big stage cemented his reputation as one of the most ferocious hitters of the cricket ball in the South African domestic circuit.
Impressed by his performance, the five-time IPL winners Mumbai Indians drafted him into their side, although he didn’t receive regular opportunities. His first stint in Indian conditions wasn’t as productive as expected, but as it’s often said, the talent was evident, and it was just a matter of time before everything clicked together.
Rising above the ranks in a short period, Stubbs received his first international call-up two months later in the T20I series against India but didn’t get the opportunity to bat. Once he finally got his moment, he left a lasting impression with his hard-hitting abilities and wide range of shots, especially against England.
Tristan Stubbs Hits Tabraiz Shamsi for 4 Consecutive Sixes in The Hundred
Stubbs has batted in 12 innings for South Africa and scored 225 runs at an average of 20. He has already smashed 15 sixes in his initial stage of his career for Proteas in T20. In the first edition of SA20, Stubbs played for Sunrisers Eastern Cape and scored 290 runs at a good strike rate of 133.
Tristan Stubbs is an immensely talented young player with a promising future for South Africa. In many respects, he can be the perfect replacement for David Miller, who is 35 and possibly in the twilight of his career. South Africa has been nurturing this talent for the long term, providing him with consistent opportunities.
Like most South African batters, Stubbs is cultured in orthodox cricketing shots, but the power, timing, and accuracy he adds to his repertoire make him one of the big stars of the future generation. It won’t be surprising to see him playing in the next T20 World Cup for South Africa.
