Devon Cricket Board - Plymouth batter sets out aims for season

Plymouth batter sets out aims for season

PLYMOUTH’s new overseas signing Gionne Koopman has set himself a stiff target for the season ahead.
South African Koopman, who is 22 and a regular for the past four seasons in the Border side back home, is hungry for runs.
Fellow countryman Marnus Labuschagne topped the Premier Division batting averages while at Plymouth last season with 730 at 60.83.
Koopeman, who hit 80 in a warm-up game against Werington last Saturday, has his sights set higher.
“My target is 800 – and I would like to get more than that,” said Koopman.
“As the club professional I am looking forward to the responsibility of being the club’s leading run scorer and taking the team home in games.”
Koopman (pictured, left) has been playing in all three forms of the game – 50-over, T20 and First Class – for Border during the domestic season at home.
An early order left-hander and off-spin bowler, Koopman started out as a 13 year old in the Border youth teams and worked his way through the system.
He made his First Class debut in 2010 and has a top score of 105. Marco Marias, the Lewdown batsman who made more than 1,350 runs in the B Division last summer, is a team-mate in the Border side.
Koopman hasn’t played outside South Africa before and sees his stay in Plymouth as part of a learning curve.
“My team-mates at Border said it would be a good experience to play in England in different conditions,” said Koopman.
“The ball swings more than it does at home, where the ball also keeps a lot lower.
“From what I have seen so far the outfields are in much better condition too.
“I am looking forward to learning all about English conditions as I hope to keep coming over for many years to come.
“I had hoped to come last year, but was still at university completing my degree in human mechanical science.”

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