HD Ackerman on his selection as new Western Province captain

HD Ackerman fulfilled a lifelong dream today when he was named as Captain of the Western Province Cricket Team, succeeding the recently retired Craig Matthews. It completed a unique "double" for the Ackerman family with his father, Hylton, having captained Western Province during the 1970's.

Captaincy was a natural progression for HD who has filled leadership roles right throughout his career, captaining WP Primary Schools, (Herschelle Gibbs was a teammate) and various school teams.

Born on Valentine's Day, 1973 in Cape Town, HD is part of a very close family made up of mom Dawn, dad Hylton, Sister Michelle and brother Gavin. With both brother and sister residing overseas, HD admits that he feels a bit like an only child and spends much time with his parents, picking Dad's renowned cricketing brain.

One of his wishes is that Mom will watch him bat more often because of the four times she has attended matches, HD has scored a century and three fifties. Mom Dawn sites "nervousness" as the excuse.

Growing up, and being the son of the Western Province Captain, certainly had its advantages. As a boy, HD recalls spending his time searching for spare pocket money in the Oaks enclosure after the day's play, waiting for Dad to pack his bags.

Furthermore, Hylton's teammates realised the importance of staying on the right side of the captain's son. Former England Test Batsman, Allan Lamb, during his time with Western Province, became affectionately known as the "chocolate man" because of his habit supporting the young Ackerman with sweets and chocolates at any opportunity.

HD attended Rondebosch Boys High School form Sub A to matric and always felt he would be a cricketer, but with South Africa barred from International Cricket, his thoughts turned to a "normal" career. He considered law as his love of movies had painted a desirable picture of well dressed affluence amongst the legal profession. His fellow boarders at Rondebosch speak of a level of skill and a single mindedness at school, which was honed by hours of cricket on the school fields. They remember too a natural leadership ability that started with captaincy of most of the teams he represented and culminates in his appointment today.

HD speaks with much pride of his selection for his country and told he was so proud to hand his first cap to his dad who was denied International Cricket by isolation. This memory is, however, tinged with sorrow at the disappointment of non-subsequent selection and the problems overcoming that disappointment. He does feel that that disappointment has made him stronger and given him the leverage to get back into the International fold.

Outside of cricket, HD has a number of interests, but none, which have, lead him to being attached. Although one of Cosmopolitan's eligible bachelors, the "Lady in his Life" is Sorcelina, his domestic who makes sure that he and his place is neat and tidy at all times.

HD views his position as Captain of Western Province as both an honour and privilege. He holds the traditions of the game in extremely high regard while recognising the importance of the marketing and commercialisation of the game in the new millennium. This combination qualifies him to become a very successful leader of Western Province Cricket.

H D Ackerman