Kaplan’s 10-hour batting marathon takes Boland to victory

Think about doing something for almost 10 hours. The same thing. 

Think about being on your feet, with only one substantial break, for 10 hours; think of packing and unpacking supermarket shelves for 10 hours. Think of reading your grandchildren bedtime stories until morning – for 10 hours, in other words. 

All of this is a way of trying to understand, if only imperfectly, what Gavin Kaplan, a Boland batsman, did in a four-day match in Paarl in September, where he scored 238. He batted for more than 10 hours as he did so, helping them to a nine-wicket victory against the Titans in the process. 

The facts and figures are impressive. Boland batted first and Kaplan batted at three, coming in before the end of the fifth over when Pieter Malan was out for eight with the total on 12. Kaplan occupied the crease for the rest of the day, reaching his century. 

He was 167 not out overnight and, the following morning, resumed the innings he will doubtlessly tell his children and grandchildren about. Finally, after actually batting for 551 minutes, he succumbed. The marathon was over. 

“If I’d been told before that I’d bat for 10 hours, I would have looked at you and thought, ‘No, I can’t really do that,’” said Kaplan over the phone. “But I can bat for 30 or 40 minutes, and I can bat until the next drinks session. Breaking up the innings into small pieces, that I can do.” 

Kaplan hasn’t really digested his mammoth 10-hour stint, he’s been too busy occupying the crease in later games. Last week, for instance, he followed up his 238 with a scandalously below-par 152 against KwaZulu-Natal Inland, again in Paarl. “I’m sure at some stage it will start sinking in,” he said with good grace. “At the moment I’m just trying to enjoy it and not thinking too much about it.” 

Kaplan’s purple patch – for the statistically minded he has scored 629 runs so far in the four-day season at an average of 104 for 83 – has come about for a variety of subtle reasons. Now approaching 28, he enjoys the fact that he’s trusted by the Boland coaching staff, who understand that he best understands his game. He’s probably a little fitter and stronger than he was this time last year, and he enjoys the company of his teammates. 

“The coaches aren’t breathing down my neck here. They know what to say, and when to say it,” he said. “Added to that, we’ve got a really good team culture here at Boland. There’s a care factor. The guys are friends. That really helps.” 

Listening to Kaplan speak, you also sense that the right-hander is at ease with himself. He’s certainly matured since moving from Western Province, where he couldn’t catch a regular game, and he’s probably a bit more laid back and philosophical nowadays. 

“There’s not a whole lot that pisses me off in general, to be honest,” he said. “My relaxed approach keeps my feet on the ground and means that I never get too far ahead of myself.” 

With age, Kaplan has become a more supple player, tailoring his game to the conditions. The Paarl wicket can be slow, and Paarl can be blisteringly hot. None of this particularly fazes the boy who went to Rondebosch Boys’ High. He can play red-ball cricket, and he can pivot towards the white-ball game with ease, it doesn’t seem to perturb him in the slightest. 

It might have helped his white-ball game that he played 50-over cricket for three months earlier this year in the Netherlands, and although Voorberg Cricket Club in the Hague struggled in the league, Kaplan’s season was a successful one. 

“This was my second year,” he said. “We finished in the bottom half, so it wasn’t that successful, but I scored more than 700 runs at an average of over 50, so I was personally pleased with my form.” 

It’s a little surprising to find out that Kaplan hasn’t been snapped up by one of the six SA20 franchises for this year’s tournament in December. Such is his form that surely, he could have made a contribution? He’s not letting it bother him, though, saying that the country is full of good players, and what will be will be. 

It’s a good attitude to have. It protects him from disappointment and from the kind of selectorial thoughtlessness that required that he move from Western Province to Boland in the first place. The move could have been a silver lining. Kaplan is happy and trusted by the people around him. It’s simple but, when you think about it, what most of us crave. 

Cricket South Africa’s four-day domestic competition now goes into recess until early December, so Kaplan has time to reflect on what he’s achieved so far in the season. Boland, which currently lies in a very respectable third position on the log, next takes on the Lions. It’s a big fixture, not to be taken lightly. Kaplan will be there to play his part.