HOMEGROWN HERO ASHWELL PRINCE

Category: Sportelizabeth

Date Added: 2 March 2010

Ashwell Prince makes Sport Elizabeth history by becoming the first Port Elizabeth sportsman to win our monthly Homegrown Hero award for a second time.

Ashwell Prince makes Sport Elizabeth history by becoming the first Port Elizabeth sportsman to win our monthly Homegrown Hero award for a second time.

Born in the Friendly City 32 years ago, Ashwell wrote his name into the record books last year with a masterful 254 runs for the Chevrolet Warriors in their Supersport Series match against the Nashua Titans at Supersport Park, Centurion. It was the highest score since the start of franchise cricket in 2004/5 and earned him the Sport Elizabeth Homegrown Hero award for April 2009.

A little less than a year later, Ashwell wins the honour again but this time for his performance in the one-day arena. It was a breathtaking knock of 128 off just 96 balls which won him the man of the match award and propelled the Warriors to a 71-run victory over the Nashua Dolphins in the MTN-40 final in East London. A victory embraced by the entire Eastern Cape ended a 17-year wait for a piece of silverware for EP Cricket. It also got the monkey off the Warriors' back as the only franchise under the current system not to have won a trophy. It was a momentous occasion in which Ashwell Prince played the starring role. We were able to catch up with him at home in Cape Town, shortly after he arrived back from the Protea's Tour of India.

Welcome back Ashwell, how are you feeling after the two-Test tour of the sub-continent?

Disappointed to be honest. To win the first Test so convincingly and to just fail to hold out in the second leaves a bitter taste. That's how Test cricket goes, I'm afraid. I had a few low scores which I wouldn't have minded so much if we'd been able to win the series.

An incredible high for you though, must have been that winning knock in the MTN-40 final?

Yes it was special. I hadn't had much success in the Test matches against England but had been hitting it nicely in practice and when I saw the pitch at Buffalo Park in East London I really had a good feeling. Conditions were perfect for batting and I was highly motivated to try and help the Warriors win their first trophy.

You and Justin Kreusch got the team off to a great start with a 93 run partnership for the first wicket in just 14.4 overs.

I tell you what, it was great to open the innings in one day cricket. I don't normally get a chance to post a big score batting in the middle of the innings and the cherry on the cake was that I was able to press on to my first one-day hundred. Justin is having a great season and I enjoyed our opening stand. I have to single out Jacques Kallis too. He's fantastic to bat with because he's so calm and we had a great time out in the middle together in the final. The way he accelerated at the end was awesome to watch and I think his 87 came off only 57 balls.

Spot on Ashwell. Not that your 128 took too long either. You made 128 off just 96 balls with 16 fours and three sixes for a strike rate of 133.33  you can't get much better than that!

Yes, it has to go down as my greatest one-day innings and I'm happy it came in such a big game. As you point out, I was really hitting the ball so hard out there, but the conditions were absolutely perfect for batting and when you get on a role like that its important not to take the foot off the pedal and just to keep going.

299 for four is a fantastic total and then to bowl out the Dolphins for 228 in 36.4 overs meant the party could start early for the Warriors?

Well, I was on the plane first thing the next day to India so I couldn't get too carried away. But sure, the celebrations were wonderful and it was special to be part of it. I really enjoy being one of the Warriors and it was a thrill to be able to hold the MTN-40 trophy knowing I'd much such a big contribution. The Warriors have had a lot of near-misses in recent seasons and now to land the big fish makes us hungry for more. We have set our targets and one of those is to be in the mix all the time when it comes to the major domestic competitions and to win more trophies.  

So how does it feel being the only double-winner (so far) of our Homegrown Hero award?

I'm honoured to have produced the kind of performances that have got me into contention for the accolade in the first place. I know Cape Town is where I live but I think everyone knows my heart is here in Port Elizabeth and I'm glad to be part of the Chevrolet Warriors. I've got a lot of cricket left in me and hopefully I can help the team to more silverware in the future.