FULL NAME: Andre John Carel Neethling
BORN: At Harare, 3 July 1979
MAJOR TEAMS: CFX Academy (2000/01). Present club side: Old Georgians.
KNOWN AS: Andre (or `Dre' for short) Neethling
BATTING STYLE: Right Hand Bat
BOWLING STYLE: Right Arm Leg Breaks and Googlies
OCCUPATION: CFX Academy student

FIRST-CLASS DEBUT: 16-18 February, CFX Academy v Mashonaland, at Harare Sports Club
TEST DEBUT: Still awaited
ODI DEBUT: Still awaited

BIOGRAPHY (March 2001)

Andre Neethling owes his interest in cricket to an unusual set of circumstances. He has no family background in the game, but his parents divorced when he was about two years old, and shortly after that his mother went out for a while with a man named Kevin Walters. Mr Walters used to play cricket with Andre in the back garden when he was very young, and this started an interest that never died, even when they parted.

Andre's school cricket began at Eaglesvale Primary School, but with the departure of Mr Walters from his life it took him a long time to make much progress. He did not even play in the school colts team, and only began to develop his skills enough to play in the team when in Grade Seven. Andre cannot account for how this change came about, and does not believe any of his junior school coaches had much influence on him. He cannot remember any significant performances in matches there.

He made further progress in Form One at St John's College, and after two years had scored heavily enough, with four school centuries and an average of over 100, to win a place in the national Under-15 team that attended the South African Week in Bloemfontein. He also bowled with success, taking eight wickets for just three runs against Hillcrest College. His highest score was 139 not out, which remains his highest in any level of cricket. At first-team level he scored another three centuries. In 1997 he toured England with the Under-19 team, but without playing in any of the unofficial Tests, perhaps due to his contacting bronchitis while on tour and being unable to play much.

Andre's remarkable eight-wicket haul was actually taken bowling seamers, but Bill Flower, father of Test players Andy and Grant, saw more future for him in leg-spin. Bill had seen him bowl a few leg-breaks in matches, although not seriously, and encouraged him to develop the art, resulting in almost instant success. Today Andre can also bowl a top-spinner, an arm ball and a googly, the last-named being very erratic still. He names Bill as the greatest influence in his career to date.

In 1997 Andre joined Old Georgians Sports Club and has played for them ever since. His highest score for the club is 78, and he scored more than 400 runs at an average of over 40 opening the batting during the 2000/01 season. His preference is for number three or four in the order, but he does not mind opening. This has been his main task, as the club already has a promising leg-spinner in Stephen Wright and Andre is rarely called upon in their 50-over matches. He did once take three wickets against McDonald Club of Bulawayo.

Andre left St John's in 1997 and went to Ilsa College to complete his O-levels the following year. He then spent the next two years working firstly with his father on boreholes, and then with his stepfather who runs his own company making things like travel bags. After that he took an A+ computer course and earned his international driver's licence. He applied to join the CFX Academy in 2000 but did not get a place. He felt very discouraged, but his mother particularly encouraged him to apply again for 2001, as his main aim had always been to play cricket for a living. This time he was successful.

Andre has had little captaincy experience and does not feel he is cut out for that job, although he would `give it a go' if the opportunity was offered him. His favourite strokes are the cut, square or late, and the back-foot drive. He usually fields in the gully or at point.

Cricket heroes: Vivian Richards and Shane Warne.

Toughest opponents: Bowler - Alex Tudor, met on the Under-19 tour of England in 1997. Batsman - Morne van Wyk of South Africa, met on the Under-15 tour. "No matter where I bowled, he hit it."

Immediate ambitions: "I want to play national cricket, and hopefully I will perform and be able to do that. I've wanted to ever since I was young. I'd like to get a first-class hundred in Logan Cup this season."

Proudest achievement so far: "Coming to the Academy and playing for Zimbabwe Under-19."

Best friends in cricket: "I've made a lot of friends since I started playing cricket, but I don't have a particular best friend. All the guys at the Academy are my friends, and we all get on really well."

Other qualifications: A+ computer Microsoft course, international driver's licence. "I'd like to do more computer courses."

Other sports: First-team rugby, a bit of hockey. Nothing else now.

Outside interests: "I enjoy reading and watching cricket videos. I'm not one for going out and I don't drink much. I like relaxing with friends and being with my daughter and girlfriend."

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