SPECIAL FEATURE - CELEBRIT Y GOLFER PROFILE
Kyle Abbott
SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKETER
1. Where were you born and what schools did you attend? Emapangeni South Africa. Empangeni Prep, Felixton College, Grantliegh, Kearsney College. 2. Did you come from a sporting background? My father was an excellent road and cross country runner, both my brothers played football and cricket as well as completing Iron Man Triathalons. So I would say yes. 3. When did you realise that cricket was the sport you want to take further? Probably round 17/18 years old when my mates were applying for university and I was applying to UK clubs to go play cricket. 4. Who has been the most influential person in your cricket career and why? My family and in particular my father has been influential in getting me to where I am now, supporting every decision along the way. From a cricketing side Lance Klusener, he came into my career at a time
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when I needed a kick up the butt which got me playing for South Africa. 5. With a lot of big achievements in your career like the 7 wickets on test debut, two IPL seasons, your match figures of 17/87 for Hampshire in 2019 (best first class match figures since1956) what keeps you motivated? Not going to an office job keeps me motivated hahahah! Seriously though... winning games and taking wickets, love the buzz! 6. You have recently been included in the Boland squad, what does your cricket schedule look like for the next season? I’ll get home from the UK season with Hampshire at the end of September, have 2/3 months off before I join up with Boland mid-December till March next year before returning back to the UK. 7. With your Kolpak contract being finished, will you still be available for Hampshire? Yes, I now just play as an overseas
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May | June 2021
