CRICKET is a game of glorious uncertainties but one constant seems to be Netherfield’s ability to attract big names and nurture emerging talent.

The club has an impressive back catalogue of former professionals, with some going on to win the highest honours in the game and play on the biggest stages.

Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, Charl Willoughby, Dale Benkenstein, Dan Christian and Callum Ferguson have all touched base in Kendal and all strutted their stuff at Parkside Road.

With so many box office names counted as alumni, it is safe to say any overseas star joining the ranks of Netherfield will be following in some pretty illustrious footsteps.

Currently fulfilling that role and maintaining the side’s South African heritage is Colin Ackermann, who takes inspiration from those who have gone before and hopes his career unfolds in similar fashion.

“It was a privilege to be selected by Netherfield as their professional this season and follow the likes of Kallis, Gibbs and Ferguson who are all high-pedigree players,” he said.

“The club sure does have a good history of highly talented professionals and someone like Kallis has pretty much done it all.

“I think the only thing he hasn’t won is a World Cup so if I could achieve half of what he has I would be pretty happy.

“I like to take things step by step and not look too far into the future but I do have ambitions of playing for South Africa one day.

“For now though I just want to concentrate on finishing off my season well.”

The 22-year-old has scored 697 Northern Premier League runs this summer at an average of 38.72, while his right-arm off-breaks have taken 40 wickets at 17.45.

Pleased with his form so far, Ackermann – who shares a flat with his skipper Marc Brown in Kendal – is thoroughly enjoying his Cumbrian experience.

“I got off to a bit of a slow start at the beginning of the campaign but feel I’m hitting form,” he added.

“It’s the first time I’ve had a full season here so I took a bit of time to adjust and find a way to score runs. I guess I just needed to adapt to English conditions.

“I like to help the team out whenever I can, whether that’s with bat or bowl and I’m very much enjoying my time here.

“Everyone at the club has made me feel very welcome from day one and I have got some good club mates.”

Viewed as a hot prospect of South African cricket, Ackermann is a product of Grey High School in Port Elizabeth and toured England back in 2009 He was the leading run-scorer in the CSA under-19 three day competition, averaging 200, and went on to make his provincial debut for Eastern Province in October 2010.

After really hitting his straps the following year, he also broke into the Warriors side in the MiWay Pro20 Franchise competition.

And Ackermann – who represented South Africa at the under-19 World Cup three years ago – is keen to finish with a flourish at Netherfield and take that form into domestic cricket back home.

“I will be returning to South Africa at the beginning of September where pre-season starts pretty much straight away,” he said.

“I have a week off just to relax and see friends and family then I will be straight back to the nets at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.

“I will be gearing up for a good season with Eastern Province and the Warriors but I want to continue performing here in order to hit the ground running when the South African stuff starts.”

Before boarding his plane, Ackermann will play his part in the majority of Netherfield’s remaining fixtures, with plenty still to play for and silverware up for grabs.

Local bragging rights are at stake this weekend as a trip to Shap Road looms large, with Leyland awaiting the winners of the re-arranged Readers Cup semi-final clash with Blackpool.

“Although disappointed we couldn’t bowl Fleetwood out last week, we were pretty pleased with the nine points, so hopefully we can take some momentum forward,” said Ackermann.

“This weekend is an important one as we have got a big derby on Saturday and then on Sunday it’s the Twenty20 area finals.

“I cannot play in the t20s but I will be there to support the guys as I know they are hungry for more trophies this season and there is still the League Cup to come.

“Before I came over I had a goal of winning something with Netherfield and to realise that would be an awesome achievement.”

Ackermann – who has one first-class hundred and nine first-class half-centuries to his name – is keen to build on the 52 he scored against the reigning league champions last time out.

And despite sailing off into the sunset in the not too distant future, the man nicknamed “Ackers” has refused to rule out continuing his love affair with Netherfield and Parkside Road.

“It was nice to get a fifty on the board as I like making a contribution as I believe that’s important,” he added.

“And like I say, the club have been welcoming and I have formed some good friendships in my time here – Kendal is a beautiful part of the country.

“All these things would make the potential for coming back here at some stage pretty easy.”