Tony de Zorzi’s mother can rest easy knowing her son is well cared for in the Caribbean, but she should also be ready to follow his progress in the upcoming Test series starting next week.
“It’s a beautiful place with friendly people,” De Zorzi shared from Trinidad, where the first Test at Queen's Park Oval in Port-of-Spain kicks off on Wednesday. “The lady in the kitchen here always calls us ‘My baby’ and such.”
When asked if his mother, Natasha, would be watching the games, De Zorzi said, “She should be, if she loves me—I'm her son. I hope everyone back home sets their alarms. I know it was tough waking up for the World Cup.”
During the T20 World Cup in June, South Africa’s games often started at 1:30 or 2:30 a.m. South African time, which meant De Zorzi was up in the middle of the night. The Tests will start at 4 p.m. South African time, making it easier for his mother, who frequently supports and encourages him, to stay tuned.
De Zorzi will open the batting alongside Aiden Markram in the four-day tour match against a West Indies Championship XI at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. He was dismissed for nine runs, while Markram scored 82 before retiring unhurt.
This will be De Zorzi’s first time opening at Test level; previously, he batted at No. 3. He has big shoes to fill following Dean Elgar’s retirement. “Replacing someone like Elgar, who had a fantastic career, is a huge task,” De Zorzi said. “It’s exciting to bat with Aiden again, though. It’s nice to have a familiar face.”
De Zorzi’s debut against the Windies was in Centurion last February, and he’s been preparing for their strategies by focusing on his strengths. “It’s my first international tour, so I want to do well,” he said.
With his 27th birthday approaching on August 28, just after the series ends, De Zorzi is reflecting on his growth both as a cricketer and a person. “Getting older helps you understand yourself better. It’s about consistency and being comfortable with who you are,” he noted.
His mother seems to have done an excellent job raising him, both on and off the field.