Rusty Theron

One of the best last-over specialists in the South African domestic circuit, Juan 'Rusty' Theron has made a name for himself in the T20 format. The formula behind his success in the death overs has been simple: Keep it full, straight and mix it up with some slower deliveries. This policy has served him well right from the time when he attended Grey High School in Port Elizabeth. This school has served as a training ground for legends like Graeme Pollock and Peter Pollock. International cricketers like Johan Botha and Wayne Parnell have also graduated out of Grey High School.

Theron made his debut in 2005 for Eastern Province and picked up 60 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 18. He moved up the ranks and he played for the Warriors in the 2008 season. His performances in the limited overs edition that season earned him the Domestic Championship Cricketer of the year award.

In October 2009, Theron was reported with a suspicious action which was cleared eight days later. The same season saw Theron at his very best at the death overs. He helped the Warriors win at least two out of the eight games thanks to his death overs bowling. Following his impressive showing in the domestic level, Theron was awarded a Cricket South Africa contract and he was snapped up by Kings XI Punjab for the 2010 IPL season.

He landed in India a couple of hours before his IPL debut match against Chennai and hardly showed any rustiness. After being hit for a boundary in his first ball, he bowled wonderfully at the death and picked up 2/17 in four overs to help Kings XI Punjab tie the match. He also bowled the super-over and Punjab sealed a great victory. His efforts won him the Man of the Match. Theron was named in the South African squad for the 2010 T20 World Cup but he did not play a game.

He made his debut for South Africa in the series against Zimbabwe in October 2010 and picked up 5/44 in his second match. He finished the series with 11 wickets in three matches at an average of 11.27. He continued with his impressive showing against Pakistan in the UAE, with his best being 4/27 in the 2nd T20I at Abu Dhabi to help the Proteas seal victory.

Theron was an integral part of the Warriors team when they qualified for the CLT20 for the first time in the 2010 edition. He picked up eight wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 7.04. He was snapped up by Deccan Chargers in the 2011 edition of the IPL.

Injuries have marred the career of Theron. He lost his central contract due to various injuries and was also not picked in the ODI and T20I squads. However, he was named in the South Africa A side that played a tri-series involving India A and Australia A in 2013. He performed well with the bat and ball, but has not been able to break into the strong South African squad.

Fun Fact: Juan Theron is named Rusty due to the rustic brown colour of his hair.

Fact: He (31 off 16 balls) and Parnell (29 off 11) were involved in a 64 run stand for the 8th wicket to take the Proteas home who were reeling at 84/7 chasing 148 in the second T20I against Australia at Johannesburg in October 2011.

By Siddharth Vishwanathan and Akshay Maanay