South African batsman Colin Ackermann welcomed a T20I debut for the Netherlands this month.

Ackermann scored 27, 29 and 15 in October’s five-team T20I series with Nepal, Ireland and Oman. The series also involves Hong Kong.

Former Proteas all-rounder Roelof van der Merwe is also in the Netherlands squad.

Also read: Theron becomes dual international

The right-handed Ackermann was key to the Warriors’ 4-Day Franchise Series campaign during the 2018-19 season. He struck 472 runs in a dozen innings at an average of 47.20.

He recently starred for Leicestershire in English county cricket.

The part-time spinner claimed world-record figures of 7-14 in a 55-run victory over the Birmingham Bears at Grace Road.

Ackermann’s haul is the best in the history of professional T20 cricket.

Somerset’s Arrul Suppiah held the previous record – 6-5 against Glamorgan in Cardiff in 2011.

The former best by a South African – anywhere in the world – was Border seamer Phaphama Fojela’s 6-9 against Easterns in East London in 2014.

‘I’d never have believed this in a million years – I count myself as a batting all-rounder. It was the first time it has turned at Grace Road, so I tried to use my height and get a bit of bounce,’ said Ackermann at the time.

Last year’s contract extension will keep Ackermann at Leicestershire until 2020.

‘I am extremely pleased to be extending my contract with the Foxes,’ he added.

Photo: Gallo Images