Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Colin Ackermann

Colin Ackermann (born 4 April 1991) is a South African-born Dutch international cricketer who plays as a right-handed batting all-rounder, capable of bowling right-arm off-breaks, for Durham County Cricket Club in England and the Netherlands national team. Born in George, Cape Province, South Africa, Ackermann was educated at Grey High School and represented the South Africa Under-19 team, where he topped the run aggregates in the red-ball competition in 2009. He began his domestic career with the Warriors franchise in South Africa, topping the Sunfoil Series run charts in the 2016–17 season with 883 runs at an average of 51.94, which positioned him as a potential candidate for the South African Test team. In 2017, he moved to England to join Leicestershire, where he made his first-class debut and later served as captain from 2020 to 2022, achieving notable feats such as a highest score of 277 not out against Sussex in 2022 and the best T20 bowling figures in the Blast with 7/18 against Birmingham Bears in 2019. Ackermann qualified to play for the through residency and made his international debut in the 2019 ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier, contributing 163 runs at an average over 40 to help the team win the tournament. His debut came against in 2021, with a career-best score of 81 against , while in the 2022 , he top-scored for the with 41 not out against , aiding their qualification for the 2024 edition. After leaving following the 2023 season, he joined , where in his debut year of 2024, he excelled across formats—scoring 743 runs at an average of 46.44 in the with two centuries, Durham's leading run-scorer in the with 316 runs, and hitting two T20 half-centuries—earning him the club's Player of the Season award. He continued to represent the in 2025, including an ODI against in March.

Early life

Background and family

Colin Ackermann was born on 4 April 1991 in George, Cape Province, South Africa, to a South African father and a Dutch mother. This parentage granted him dual South African-Dutch nationality from birth.

Education and youth cricket

Ackermann received his primary education at Outeniqua Primary School in George, South Africa. He later attended Grey High School in Port Elizabeth, where he honed his cricket skills as part of the school's prominent program. In his youth, Ackermann progressed through the Eastern Province cricket system. He made his debut at the Under-19 level in November 2008 during the CSA Under-19 Competition, contributing with both bat and ball. Ackermann's performances earned him a spot in the Under-19 team as vice-captain for the 2010 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in . In the tournament, he accumulated 196 runs across seven matches at an average of 49.00, including an unbeaten 64 against the in the group stage—his highest score—and steady contributions in the chase against in the fifth-place playoff.

Domestic career

Early clubs in South Africa

Ackermann made his first-class debut for Eastern Province during the 2010/11 season at the age of 19. In that campaign, he featured in 15 matches, accumulating 678 runs at an average of 28.25, establishing himself as a promising with his right-handed batting and off-spin . In 2013, Ackermann transitioned to franchise, representing the team in higher-level domestic competitions. Over his tenure, he played 25 first-class matches for , highlighted by a highest score of 114 and claiming 20 wickets with his off-spin, contributing significantly to the side's efforts in the Sunfoil Series. Ackermann's List A debut came in the 2010/11 season for Eastern Province. Throughout this period, Ackermann also participated in South African domestic T20 competitions up to 2015, gaining experience in the fast-paced format while playing for Eastern Province and later .

Leicestershire stint

Ackermann joined as an overseas player in October 2016, signing a two-year contract ahead of the 2017 season to bolster the county's batting lineup. Born in but holding nationality through family ties, which granted him an passport, he relinquished his South African qualification to facilitate the move. This eligibility allowed him to transition to a full domestic contract in 2019, when he agreed to a three-year extension running until the end of 2023, securing his long-term commitment to the club. In March 2020, Ackermann was appointed as 's captain across all formats, succeeding Paul Horton and building on his prior leadership of the T20 side. Under his guidance, the team achieved significant progress, culminating in promotion from Division Two in 2022. A pivotal moment came in July of that year against at , where Ackermann's unbeaten 277—his highest first-class score—formed part of an extraordinary 503-run partnership with , enabling to declare at 756 for 4, the highest total in their first-class history, and secure a draw that propelled them to the title. Ackermann's all-round contributions shone in the Vitality Blast, where he captained from 2019 onward and delivered standout performances. In August 2019, he recorded the best T20 bowling figures of his career with 7 for 18 against Bears at , dismantling their batting lineup as a part-time off-spinner and restricting them to 124 all out in pursuit of 126. Over his tenure, he amassed more than 2,000 runs in 70 Blast matches at an average of 32.50, providing consistent middle-order stability and occasional explosive cameos, such as his career-best 85 from 44 balls against in 2022. Ackermann's decade-long association with ended in June 2023, when he turned down a contract extension to join on a three-year deal, alongside teammate . In seven seasons, he scored nearly 7,000 runs across all formats, becoming the club's all-time leading T20 run-scorer with 1,962 runs.

Move to Durham

In June 2023, announced the signing of Colin Ackermann on a three-year contract as an , effective from the season across all formats. Bringing prior captaincy experience from , Ackermann integrated quickly into the squad. Ackermann made an impactful debut in the 2024 County Championship, scoring 743 runs at an average of 46.44 while contributing with his off-spin bowling. His season was capped by being named Durham's Player of the Season, with standout performances including an unbeaten 111 alongside David Bedingham in a record 425-run fifth-wicket partnership against Lancashire, and a List A century of 108 against Northamptonshire that guided Durham to victory. In the 2025 County Championship Division One, Ackermann scored 589 runs at an average of 34.65 across 11 matches, with a highest score of 124. In the Vitality Blast, he amassed over 300 runs across 14 matches at an average of 44.57, including an explosive 83 off 33 balls against . His contributions helped advance to the quarter-finals, though they fell short against in a 26-run defeat that prevented a Finals Day appearance.

International career

T20I debut and key tournaments

Ackermann made his (T20I) debut for the on 5 October 2019 against at Al Amerat Cricket Ground in during the Oman Pentangular T20I Series. Batting at number four, he contributed 27 runs off 21 balls, including three fours, helping the Netherlands post 167 for 7 before Ireland chased the target with 6 s in hand. With the ball, Ackermann bowled 4 overs, conceding 34 runs without taking a wicket in the match. In September 2021, Ackermann was appointed vice-captain of the squad for the in the UAE, serving under skipper . The team competed in the first round , where Ackermann featured in all three matches, scoring 57 runs at a of 100. He top-scored with 35 off 32 balls (including eight fours and a six) against in a high-scoring encounter that the lost by 6 wickets, while also claiming 1 wicket for 32 runs in that game. Against and , his contributions were 11 off 16 and 11 off 9 respectively, as the side exited in the first round after finishing third in the group. Ackermann played a pivotal role in the Netherlands' qualification campaigns for subsequent T20 World Cups, participating in key qualifiers in 2022 and 2024. In the 2022 , he featured in the Super 12 stage, notably scoring a career-best 62 off 48 balls (with six fours and two sixes) against in a narrow 9-run defeat, providing stability in the middle order during a where the achieved an upset victory over . His all-round efforts helped secure qualification through the and global pathways. By the end of his T20I career, Ackermann had played 25 matches, amassing 515 runs at an average of 24.52 and a of 114.70, with one half-century to his name. His last T20I appearance came on 16 2024 against at Al Amerat, where the continued their associate nation journey.

ODI appearances and milestones

Ackermann made his ODI debut for the on 26 November 2021 against at SuperSport Park in . The match was abandoned due to rain after only two overs, with the at 11 for no loss, and Ackermann did not have the opportunity to bat. The series was postponed due to cases in the squad and resumed in 2023, where Ackermann registered his first batting score of 4 runs in the second ODI against at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on 31 2023. Ackermann experienced a breakthrough in 2022 during the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, amassing 188 runs across several matches, highlighted by a half-century of 53 against Scotland at Sportpark Het Schootsveld in Amstelveen on 17 August 2022. This performance contributed to the Netherlands' efforts in the league, which helped secure their qualification for the 2023 ODI World Cup. In the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Ackermann played all nine matches, scoring 216 runs at an average of 24.00, including a highest score of 69 against New Zealand. His standout innings in the format came earlier that year with 81 runs against Afghanistan in a tri-nation series in Dubai on 23 January 2022, marking his highest ODI score to date. Ackermann featured prominently in subsequent bilateral series in 2024, including encounters against and other associates. His ODI career concluded with the final match on 13 March 2025 against at in , where he remained on 54—his fourth ODI fifty. Over 21 ODIs, Ackermann accumulated 505 runs at an average of 28.05, with four half-centuries, and took 15 wickets at an average of 35.60. Notable bowling milestones include his career-best figures of 4/22 against the in on 20 January 2022.

Playing style and achievements

Batting and bowling approach

Ackermann is a right-handed middle-order batsman recognized for his sturdy defensive foundation, which allows him to anchor innings effectively, complemented by bursts of aggression to accelerate scoring when opportunities arise. This balanced approach suits him across formats, where he often plays a stabilizing role while capable of counter-attacking against or loose bowling. His first-class batting average of 40.85 underscores his reliability in longer games, built on patient accumulation and selective shot-making. In T20 cricket, Ackermann's strike rate of around 123 reflects his adaptability to faster-paced demands, enabling him to finish innings calmly under pressure, as seen in crucial lower-order contributions. As an off-break bowler, he relies on generous flight and subtle turn to extract variable bounce, particularly effective in restricting runs during the middle phase of an innings and inducing false shots from set batsmen. His loopy trajectory often draws batters forward, leading to edges or lbw dismissals, with career-best T20 figures of 7/18 demonstrating his wicket-taking prowess in limited-overs scenarios. In first-class matches, his best haul of 5/45 highlights his control in longer spells, contributing to over 150 wickets across all formats through economical bowling that pressures partnerships. Ackermann's all-round value lies in his versatility: with the bat, he constructs vital stands to rebuild or extend totals, while his disrupts opposition momentum by breaking key partnerships. Since joining English in , he has honed this dual role to thrive in variable, seamer-friendly conditions, using his to exploit worn pitches and his batting to counter early on.

Notable records and awards

Ackermann achieved his highest score in with an unbeaten 277 against in the , forming part of an unbroken 477-run partnership for the fifth wicket with that propelled to their highest-ever first-class total of 756 for 4 declared and played a pivotal role in the team's promotion to Division One. In limited-overs formats, he recorded his best T20 bowling figures of 7 for 18 during the 2019 Vitality Blast against Birmingham Bears, setting a then-world record for the most wickets in a T20 and securing a 55-run victory for . His highest ODI score stands at 81, scored against in the third ODI of their 2021-22 series in , where he anchored the ' despite a 75-run defeat. In April 2025, Ackermann scored twin centuries of 116 and 124 against in a Division One match, becoming the first player to achieve this feat in the competition since 2019. In July 2025, he made 83 off 33 balls in the Vitality Blast against , contributing to Durham's record T20 total of 244 for 4. Among his awards, Ackermann was named Durham's Player of the Season in 2024, receiving the Medal for his all-round contributions across formats in his debut year with the county. He was also nominated for the Cricket Awards 2022 in the Associate Batting category, recognizing his standout performances, including a match-winning 41 against at the T20 World Cup. As of September 2025, Ackermann had amassed over 12,000 runs in at an average exceeding 40, alongside more than 150 wickets across all formats, underscoring his longevity as a batting . On the international front, Ackermann reached the milestone of 500 runs in ODIs during , finishing with 505 runs at an average of 28.05 from 21 matches, including four half-centuries. He has served as vice-captain for the in multiple T20I series, notably stepping into the role for the 2021 T20 World Cup squad under captain .

References

  1. [1]
    Colin Ackermann Profile - ICC Ranking, Age, Career Info & Stats
    An alumnus of the renowned Grey High School, famous for producing sportsmen of all codes for South Africa, batting all-rounder Colin Ackermann excelled even ...
  2. [2]
    Colin Ackermann - Durham Cricket
    Colin Ackermann capped off a successful debut season for Durham by impressing in all formats, earning him the 2024 Player of the Season award.
  3. [3]
    Colin Ackermann - Cricket Player Netherlands - ESPNcricinfo
    Ackermann was a former South Africa U-19 who had topped the Sunfoil averages in 2016-17, and might have been in contention for a Test call-up had he not taken ...Matches · Stats · News · Videos
  4. [4]
    Colin Ackermann - Player Rankings - ICC Cricket
    Colin Ackermann · batting · bowling · fielding · Career Runs · Career Wickets · batting form · bowling form. Wickets taken 1. Bowling avg 63.00. Economy rate ...
  5. [5]
    Brandon Glover and the old South African gang outplay South Africa
    Nov 6, 2022 · Stephan Myburgh had started his career at Northerns along with Neil Wagner; Colin Ackermann ... Dutch passport, via his mother, to start a ...
  6. [6]
    Colin Ackermann - CricketArchive
    Full name: Colin Niel Ackermann. Born: 4th April 1991, George, Cape Province, South Africa. Batting: Right-hand batter. Bowling: Right-arm off-break.
  7. [7]
    https://www.cricketschool.co.za/about
  8. [8]
    About Us | Join Leading Cricket Training
    Colin Ackermann. Born: 4 April 1991, George, Cape Province. Current age: 32. Major teams: Warriors, Eastern Province, Eastern Province ... u15 & 17, Netherlands ...
  9. [9]
    EP19 vs WP19 Cricket Scorecard, Pool A at Gqeberha, November ...
    ... Under-19 Competition 2008/09 dated November 21 - 23, 2008 ... Colin Ackermann. 12 ... Eastern Province Under-19s first innings: 50 in 16.1 overs, 72 minutes ...Missing: debut | Show results with:debut
  10. [10]
    S Africa U19 ICC Under-19 World Cup 2009/10 Squad
    Oct 6, 2016 · Learn & Understand all information about S Africa U19 including ICC Under-19 World Cup 2009/10 Squad, Player Details & More at ESPNcricinfo.
  11. [11]
    ICC Under-19 World Cup 2009/10 | ODI Batting Averages Records
    ICC Under-19 World Cup 2009/10, ODI matches tournament batting averages ... Colin Ackermann, 35 years, RHB, South Africa Under-19s, 7, 6, 2, 196, 64, 49.00, 235 ...Missing: 2010 | Show results with:2010
  12. [12]
    SA19 vs USA19 Cricket Scorecard, 16th Match, Group B at ...
    ... ICC Under-19 World Cup 2009/10 dated January 18, 2010 ... Colin Ackermann. not out, 64, 71, 87, 8, 1, 90.14. not out. Extras, (lb 7), 7, (lb 7).
  13. [13]
    Leicestershire CCC
    Ackermann signs for Leicestershire. 20 October 2016. Leicestershire County Cricket Club are delighted to announce the signing of batsman Colin Ackermann on a ...
  14. [14]
    https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/colin-ackermann-named-leicestershire-captain-1219599
  15. [15]
    Colin Ackermann named Leicestershire captain - ESPNcricinfo
    Mar 19, 2020 · Colin Ackermann named Leicestershire captain ... If you access other digital properties of the Walt Disney Family of Companies, you will need to ...
  16. [16]
    Colin Ackermann, Wiaan Mulder score unbeaten double-tons on ...
    Jul 14, 2022 · Ackermann looked capable of setting an individual record for the county, beating the 309 not out made by his near-namesake HD Ackerman against ...
  17. [17]
    Part-timer Colin Ackermann takes first-ever T20 seven-for on ...
    Aug 7, 2019 · Ackermann, Leicestershire's T20 captain, just planned to be a solid pro doing an intelligent job, but the naivety of a young Bears batting ...
  18. [18]
    Colin Ackermann 85 keeps Leicestershire last-eight hopes alive with ...
    Jul 1, 2022 · Skipper Colin Ackermann hit three sixes and nine fours in a career-best 85 from 44 balls to lead Leicestershire to a season's best 214 for 6 ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  19. [19]
    Durham confirm signings of Ackermann, Parkinson - ESPNcricinfo
    Jun 22, 2023 · Colin Ackermann sweeps during his knock of 85, Leicestershire vs ... If you access other digital properties of the Walt Disney Family of Companies ...
  20. [20]
    Colin Ackermann, Callum Parkinson & Chris Wright to leave at end ...
    Jun 22, 2023 · Leicestershire: Colin Ackermann, Callum Parkinson & Chris Wright to leave at end of 2023. Published. 22 June 2023.Missing: departure | Show results with:departure
  21. [21]
    Colin Ackermann: Durham to sign Netherlands all-rounder on ... - BBC
    Jun 23, 2023 · Durham will sign Netherlands all-rounder Colin Ackermann on a three-year deal from the 2024 season onwards to play across all formats.
  22. [22]
    Durham confirm signing of Colin Ackermann on three-year contract ...
    Jun 23, 2023 · Colin Ackermann will swap Leicestershire for Durham from 2024 after signing a three-year contract with the county.
  23. [23]
    David Bedingham, Colin Ackermann centuries put Durham in control
    Sep 10, 2024 · Durham 367 for 4 (Bedingham 177*, Ackermann 111*) lead Lancashire 228 (Hurst 90, Bohannon 49, Raine 5-44) by 139 runs.
  24. [24]
    Colin Ackermann's 108 trumps Prithvi Shaw's 97 in Durham win
    Aug 2, 2024 · One-Day Cup 2024, DUR vs NOR Group A Match Report, August 02, 2024 - Colin Ackermann's 108 trumps Prithvi Shaw's 97 in Durham win.<|control11|><|separator|>
  25. [25]
    Colin Ackermann - Mens T20 Blast 2025 - CricketXI
    Colin. Ackermann. Mens T20 Blast 2025. Batter. Durham. £62,500. Season Points. 624. Season Matches. 14. Season Average. 44.57. Season Stats View Career Stats.
  26. [26]
    Ackermann fireworks light way as Durham crush Notts - ESPNcricinfo
    Jul 4, 2025 · Colin Ackermann comes down the track, Durham vs Lancashire, Chester ... If you access other digital properties of the Walt Disney Family of ...
  27. [27]
    T20 Blast: Hampshire beat Durham to reach Finals Day - BBC Sport
    Sep 5, 2025 · Toby Albert continues his superb form in the T20 Blast to help Hampshire beat Durham by 26 runs and reach Finals Day for the 11th time.
  28. [28]
    IRE vs NED Cricket Scorecard, 2nd Match at Al Amarat, October 05 ...
    Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Tobias Visee, 1.5 ov), 2-69 (Max O'Dowd, 6.6 ov), 3-124 (Colin Ackermann, 13.3 ov), 4-157 (Ben Cooper, 18.1 ov), 5-159 (Scott Edwards ...
  29. [29]
    Ireland too strong in first match 5-nations T20I series - KNCB
    With the score on 69/2 off 7 overs, Colin Ackermann 27 (21), on his debut for The Netherlands, was happy to play a supporting role to the more aggressive ...
  30. [30]
    NAM vs NED Cricket Scorecard, 7th Match, First Round Group A at ...
    7th Match, First Round Group A, Abu Dhabi, October 20, 2021, ICC Men's T20 World Cup, NED Flag NED 164/4, NAM Flag NAM (19/20 ov, T:165) 166/4, Namibia won by ...
  31. [31]
    SA vs NED Cricket Scorecard, 1st ODI at Centurion, November 26 ...
    Get cricket scorecard of 1st ODI, SA vs NED, Netherlands in South Africa 2021/22-2022/23 at SuperSport Park, Centurion dated November 26, 2021.
  32. [32]
    SA vs NED Cricket Scorecard, 2nd ODI at Benoni, March 31, 2023
    Mar 31, 2023 · 2nd ODI (D/N), Benoni, March 31, 2023, Netherlands tour of South Africa, NED Flag NED 189, SA Flag SA (30/50 ov, T:190) 190/2, South Africa won
  33. [33]
    Colin Ackermann Debut and last played matches in Tests, ODIs ...
    Colin Ackermann's recent ... If you access other digital properties of the Walt Disney Family of Companies, you will need to make your election for each.
  34. [34]
    Colin Ackermann batting bowling stats, averages and cricket ...
    Find out the complete career history of Colin Ackermann including highest scores, centuries, half centuries, wickets and more.
  35. [35]
    Colin Ackermann Cricket Stats & News - RotoWire
    Ackermann scored the third ODI half-century of his career while batting first ... First Class. T20. T20I. First Class. 2. 8. 12. 13. 2. 3. 7. 11. 18. 12. 8. 11.Missing: Province | Show results with:Province
  36. [36]
    Leicestershire's Colin Ackermann takes 7-18 to claim record bowling ...
    Aug 7, 2019 · Colin Ackermann sets a new T20 world record with bowling figures of 7-18 in Leicestershire's win against Birmingham Bears.
  37. [37]
    AFG vs NED Cricket Scorecard, 3rd ODI at Doha, January 25, 2022
    AFG vs NED ; Colin Ackermann. lbw b Rashid Khan, 81 ; lbw b Rashid Khan ; Pieter Seelaar (c). b Fareed Ahmad, 0 ; b Fareed Ahmad.
  38. [38]
    David Bedingham scoops three awards at Durhams Annual Awards ...
    Oct 4, 2024 · David Bedingham rounded off a remarkable season with three awards as Colin Ackermann claimed the Paul Collingwood medal at the annual Player of the Year dinner.
  39. [39]
    ESPNcricinfo Awards 2022 Associate batting nominees: Ackermann ...
    Mar 10, 2023 · Though he didn't overpower Sri Lanka's bowlers, he still managed a strike rate of 157 by staying exceptionally busy. He absorbed just four dots ...
  40. [40]
    Dutch ICC Men's T20 World Cup squad announced - Kncb.nl
    Sep 10, 2021 · Colin Ackermann will step up to the vice-captaincy role and it'll be fantastic to have veteran Ryan ten Doeschate come with us for one last ...