Africa and Australia have had a contrasting fortune in the cricket world. While Australia have dominated the ICC tournaments and won many trophies, the African sides have never played to their full potential in ICC knockout matches. However, South Africa from the African region have troubled Australia a lot in Test cricket even Down Under.
Many fans know that there are quite a few Africa-born cricketers who are playing for England and New Zealand, but not many members of the cricket universe may know that four Africa-born players have represented Australia at the international level. Here’s a list of five such players.
1. Michael Neser – Made Test debut for Australia in Ashes 2021
Fast bowler Michael Neser became the most recent South Africa-born cricketer to play Test cricket for the Aussies. The Pretoria-born fast bowler got an opportunity to play in the pink-ball Test against England in Adelaide because captain Pat Cummins was ruled out of the Test for coming in close contact with a COVID-19 positive person.
2. Marnus Labuschagne – One of the top batters for Australia in Tests
Current Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne has been very consistent in the Test arena. He has scored heaps of runs for the Aussies in the whites. Interestingly though Labuschagne was born in South Africa.
3. Kepler Wessels
Kepler Wessels has represented both Australia and South Africa at the international level. He was born in Bloemfontein. Wessels was a left-handed batter. After retirement, he has worked as a coach, umpire and referee.
4. Hilton Cartwright
Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, the 29-year-old all-rounder Hilton Cartwright moved to Australia with his family during his time as a junior cricketer. Cartwright has played two ODIs and two Test matches for the Australian cricket team so far. He has been performing well for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League.
