A South Africa-born, Leicestershire star, and a Netherlands international cricketer - that’s Colin Niel Ackermann for you. Born in George, Ackermann is a former Proteas U-19 cricketer who went back and forth between South Africa and the UK, before settling in the Netherlands. 

Ackermann’s shot to fame in 2009 as he topped the run-tally of CSA’s U-19 three-day tournament with an average of 200. There was no looking back for the youngster since then. He graduated to the senior side to make his domestic debut for Eastern Province in 2010. 

The right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman was a regular performer in South African domestic circles. He topped the charts yet again, with a total of 883 from ten matches in the 2016–17 Sunfoil Series. With being in the grind for seven years and not getting selected for the highest level for the Proteas, Ackermann decided to migrate to the UK. 

In England, he netted himself to represent Leicestershire as he got contracted till 2019. He captained his county for quite a bit and was a regular performer there. However, the launch of the Global T20 league in 2017 almost booked Ackermann’s flight back home, but the tournament got cancelled and the cricketer remained with Leicestershire. 

In 2019, the stylish batter made headlines due to his part-time off-spin when he spun the figures of 7 for 8 in a T20 clash against the Birmingham Bears. Later that season, Ackermann made himself available for selection in the Netherlands’ national team. 

He donned the orange jersey during the Oman Pentangular T20I Series. Ackermann helped the Dutch side secure qualifications for the 2021 T20 World Cup. In 2021, he was drafted into the Manchester Originals squad for the inaugural edition of 'The Hundred'. With Ackermann’s experience and mantle, the allrounder can help the franchise seize the maiden trophy. 

(As of April 2021)