Player Profile: Andrew Sobiech (St. Andrew’s School)
St. Andrew’s School has been blessed with one of those rare players, someone who fits the description of Jack of all trades.
With the bat, Andrew Sobiech can open and handle the new-ball threat; or he can bat in the middle order to pick up boundaries at the end of an innings.
In the field, he takes catches from multiples positions, and he also accounts for opposition batsmen with his right-arm off-spin.
He has been included in the Free State Khaya Majola team, giving him an opportunity to display his talent at an inter-provincial level. He earned his place by producing excellent figures with both the bat and ball.
In a match against Selborne College at the Cape Schools Festival in October, Sobiech was at his very best. He scored 94 runs off 115 deliveries and then captured 5/26 in 8.1 overs to play the leading role in a big win for St Andrew’s.
Saints‘ 1st XI Head Coach, AJ van Wyk, spoke highly of the all-rounder’s competitive spirit: “I first saw Andrew when he arrived at the school in Grade Nine. I saw him playing in the nets and noticed his ferocity. He doesn’t just love winning, he despises losing.
“He’s won St. Andrew’s a lot of matches with his passion. His desire to win is something which rubs off on his teammates. He’s set a high standard for future players who have to step up and fill his role.”
From where did Andrew Sobiech’s competitive nature stem? The all-rounder shared that story with SuperSport Schools Plus: “My earliest memory of cricket is from playing with my mates in the street. We played in the cul-de-sac near my house when we were still in primary school. They lived just two houses away, and we’d spend hours out there with a taped-up tennis ball, arguing over ‘outs’ and celebrating every big shot like it was the World Cup.
“Those moments are what made me fall in love with the game. It was pure fun, and it’s a feeling that’s stayed with me ever since.”
What cricket goals is he aiming to chase after his school days are done?
“Right now, my big goal is to make Cubs Week in January. From there, I’d love to push into much higher levels of cricket. You never know where your breakthrough might come from. It might be right around the corner, and I want to put myself in the best position to take it,” he said.
“In my personal life, I want to finish my studies, so that I have a solid foundation behind me. I also want to keep growing in my Christian faith and strengthen my relationships with the people I love. That balance is really important to me.”
Assessing his game, he said candidly: “The aspect of my game that needs the most work is consistency, especially when it comes to being mentally switched on from the first ball to the last. I know I’ve got the ability, but I want to sharpen that focus and make sure I can execute under pressure. Once I get that right, every part of my game will naturally lift.”
Interestingly, coach Van Wyk said Sobiech’s area of greatest improvement has been in the manner in which he approaches and thinks about the game. “I’d say his mentality has improved a lot. He used to play on emotion when he was younger. However, he has matured mentally. He now plays with focus and clarity. It’s helped him to become consistent in his performances.”
Andrew Sobiech is a workhorse, a player willing to and able to contribute to all aspects of the game. Given time and opportunity, the all-rounder will surely make his mark in one way or the other.
The Saints’ star is one to watch out for at the Khaya Majola Week. It takes place on familiar grounds to him, in Bloemfontein, from 16-21 December.
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