{"id":616246,"date":"2026-04-19T02:28:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T02:28:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/616246\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T02:28:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T02:28:10","slug":"stunning-summer-for-cricket-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/616246\/","title":{"rendered":"Stunning summer for cricket star"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n \"\"<\/a>Club cricket star Berno de Klerk has been the best player in the region this season. Photo Richard Spranger<\/p>\n

By Franklin Times Junior Journalist Taylor Budge<\/p>\n

South African cricketer Berno de Klerk has had a phenomenal season for the Pukekohe Metro Cricket Club and is working on a plan to return next season.<\/p>\n

An all-rounder, De Klerk has been the standout player in all forms of cricket across the region this summer.<\/p>\n

He helped Pukekohe Metro win the W.H Taylor Shield two-day competition as well as leading the club to the final of the Regional One-Day competition, which also includes teams from Waikato Valley.<\/p>\n

Along the way, he has scored five premier centuries and one for the premier reserves team.<\/p>\n

\u201cI loved every moment of this summer so far, not just on the field but off the field as well,\u201d De Klerk told the Franklin Times.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe guys I play with are so nice and always there to have fun. The cricket has been very enjoyable, and the pitches here in New Zealand are different to what I am used to, so it is also a good way to test myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 19-year-old landed in Pukekohe courtesy of a connection with the club\u2019s highest profile player \u2013 new Black Cap national representative Katene Clarke.<\/p>\n

\u201cI played a season in the Netherlands where I met Katene, and he put me in touch with the club, and it just went on from there,\u201d De Klerk says.<\/p>\n

\u201cI come from a small town called Welkom in South Africa but went to school in Potchofstroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always loved cricket and Potchofstroom was sort of a place where my cricket would go forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

De Klerk may have found a new home in Pukekohe as he\u2019s already shown interest in returning next season and has higher honours in mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I would love to come back to New Zealand,\u201d De Klerk says.<\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely want to be playing for Counties Manukau and Northern Districts, and that will be the goal I will be working hard for.\u201d<\/p>\n

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