Louis Johannes Delport has done his last backflip for the Auckland Aces, one of New Zealand Domestic cricket's most entertaining spinners announcing his retirement after the 2024/25 season.
An ever-smiling, larger than life character in the middle, there is little doubt his Auckland teammates are going to really feel it when preseason training kicks off this year.
No one brought more energy, or a broader smile, to the sheds than the late-blooming Delport who will be remembered for a lot more than those celebratory backflips.
All images: PHOTOSPORT
Now 37, the left-arm spinner entertained the Dream11 Super Smash crowds, and found rewards in all three formats in the navy cap.
It wasn't his first rodeo. Delport made his first-class and T20 debuts for Western Province in South Africa in late 2014.
He was already in his late 20s by then, then emigrated and got his first Auckland call-up in 2017/18.
Even then, it took Delport another couple of seasons to get a white-ball cap for Auckland, but he retires with 35 T20 wickets at just 22.17, and 51 List A wickets with a best of 4/16 — all for the Aces.
He had the pleasure of bowling his arm off to Tom Bruce at Auckland’s Kennards Hire Community Oval during the Plunket Shield this past summer (Bruce scored 345, the third highest score in New Zealand cricket history), but his 7/88 and 7/78 in consecutive seasons a few years ago probably ranks higher among his favourite memories.
All up, Delport snaffled 97 first-class wickets, and his fearless lower order batting was nothing but entertaining.
His signature celebrations inspired a supporters' movement called the Louis Delport Celebration Appreciation Society (LDCAS).
Reflecting on his journey, Delport said, “As I look back on my time with Auckland Cricket, it’s the people along the way that have had the biggest impact on me.
"The friendships I’ve made are something I will cherish forever.”
Over seven seasons in Auckland, Delport established himself as a consistent and reliable performer across all formats.
His good memories will include four first-class five-wicket hauls, and the bowling partnership he formed with Danru Ferns and Ben Lister that playing a key role in Auckland’s 2023/24 title run.
“Of course the on-field success was awesome—the trophies we won,” said Delport, “but it’s the people that I shared them with that made those memories so special.
“Auckland will always have a special place in my heart and I’m grateful for the opportunity that they gave me.
"To be able to have represented Auckland and wear the baggy blue is a privilege and an honour."
All images: PHOTOSPORT
