James Du Toit, the 27-year-old batsman with the occasional over in his arm taking on his first cricketing venture Down Under, strikes an imposing presence.
As he recounts his tale — one which took him into the realm of international selection with South Africa, out of cricket entirely and suddenly parachuted into the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield — the tone behind his distinctive accent makes one thing clear.
Du Toit means absolute business.
“My dad’s always supported me. I think it’s family-based support that’s pushed me through all the obstacles,” Du Toit said.
“I enrolled when my dad saw a bit of talent.
“I started playing at under-12, but I didn’t develop a passion for it until Year 10 or 11.”
Good thing he eventually decided to stick with it, though.
The process of honing his craft would take him through his university years in multiple cities across his native South Africa.
Two years involved with Tuks Academy at the University of Pretoria, then two more at the University of Johannesburg, prepared him for a stint in the pros.
Sadly, circumstances around the pandemic cut that foray short, not that he could resist the lure once the global situation eased.
“During COVID, I just stopped completely,” Du Toit said.
“I had a contract before the pandemic to play with South Africa’s Rural side, but after COVID kicked in, I wasn’t offered another.
“I decided to drop out completely and I started my own business as a carpenter back home.
“I went on to run that for two-and-a-half years, but eventually I decided I wanted just to pursue (cricket).”
After an opportunity to take a big step towards international representation was ripped away, Du Toit took the initiative to land himself in the UK’s fabled County cricket system.
It was here that his true calling became apparent.
While runs on the board always help your confidence — and seemingly came at a stroll to Du Toit — he knew the life of a journeyman cricketer was his to embrace.
From that point on it was all he wanted.
That globetrotting ambition brings him to the Goulburn Valley, where another well-respected South African all-rounder had spruiked the upside of playing in the region.
“Michael Eckard basically got me to sign here,” Du Toit said.
“After my season in England I said I literally just want to travel the world.
“I definitely wanted to sign an Australian deal and experience new things.”
And much like his fellow import at the Blues, Surrey native Ragu Aravinthan, the first “new things” Du Toit would encounter consisted of facing bowling headed his way in the middle of a pitch he’d never seen before, on hardly any rest.
Mashing 78 off 72 balls against Karramomus last weekend, amidst significant admitted jet lag, is certainly one way to announce yourself to the league.
He’s been in that kind of touch, having put up 840 one-day runs at 52.50 and a further 156 in three T20 games for Connah’s Quay in the recent North Wales Cricket League season.
Missing three Haisman Shield games won’t lower the standard he sets for himself, either.
“I’ve set myself a benchmark of scoring 800-plus,” Du Toit said.
“It puts a bit more pressure on me and sets things higher for me.
“I think we’ve got a solid group of lads and I love the area. It feels like home to me, to be quite honest.”
The sentiment has clearly crossed Du Toit’s mind already, with a surprising revelation about his future plans before he returned to the team’s training.
“I think it’s a cricket club I definitely do enjoy and I do see myself kicking on from here,” Du Toit said.
“I’m looking into setting up here as a base long-term with some studies behind my name, so I see this more like a stepping stone.”
With nine regular-season games remaining for the Blues, who look primed for finals cricket, 800 runs would still be some way off.
Du Toit’s steely demeanour in outlining his goals, though, would leave one feeling it’s rather unwise to write him off.
Numurkah hits the road to take on Waaia this weekend in round five Haisman Shield action.
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