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Hylton Michael Ackerman – “Akkie”
Dale College bade farewell to one of the “legends” from the 1960’s years. Hylton was extremely proud of his alma mater, often referring to Dale when commentating! Hylton visited the School at Reunion in 2003, Hylton is survived by hi wife Dawn and two children. Our condolences to all who knew Hylton and his family.
One of Dale College’s most famous sons Hylton Ackerman, the former Western Province cricket captain, passed away in Cape Town on September 2, 2009, at the age of 62 following a long illness. Hylton never played cricket for South Africa but turned out for the Rest of the World XI against Australia in 1971-72. Although selected for South Africa to tour Australia, the tour was called off for political reasons.
After playing first-class cricket for nearly 20 years and scoring over 12,000 runs, Ackerman turned to coaching.
He was instrumental in the development of the young Hashim Amla. In 2000 the South African Board persuaded him not to take up the job as Zimbabwe national coach by giving him charges of the South Africa A and the Under-19 sides. . He also ran the SA Cricket Academy with another appointed Old Dalian Kenny Watson.
He made his debut for South African Schools at the age of 14 years and eight months - the youngest at that time - and his first-class debut for Border at 16 years old. He scored his maiden first-class century the next year against the visiting MCC side and at only 17 years old! He became only the second schoolboy to reach the landmark against an international touring team. The other boy was Bob Byron in the 1920’s playing for the equivalent of an SA Schools side against the touring English side in Grahamstown!
Ackerman opened with Gavaskar for the Rest of the World XI and scored a century in the first Test and half-centuries in the final two. He averaged 37.41 on the tour. He led Western Province to victory in the 1977-78 Currie Cup season. He also played for Northamptonshire from 1967 to 1971, scoring over 1000 runs in three of those seasons. Other representative teams that he played for were: NE Transvaal and Natal.
At Dale his two mentors were the Dale College Headmaster, the late R W Searle and legendary Dale professional coach, the late Percy Davis. On a brighter and humorous side, Charles Pope his long standing Dale buddy, tells the following story.
Akkie and Charles would travel to cricket games in Grahamstown with Percy Davis in a borrowed Mini. On the return trip Percy would insist on stopping in Peddie for a beer and saying “you boys need a beer to put back all that you lost in perspiration out on the cricket field today!”
At Dale Hylton excelled at Hockey – Colours, Tennis – Colours. He and Charles Pope were Dale Doubles Tennis champions. His under 14 High Jump record stood for many years to be broken only in the 1980’s. The hostels where he was at Dale were Sutton House and Frank Joubert House. He will be remembered at Dale, on the Border and in the greater cricketing world for the brilliant cricketer and sportsman that he was.
His brother, Old Dalian Rodney Ackerman, played Dale First X1 Cricket from 1955 / 56 season to 1959 / 1960 seasons.
In the last few years and before he became ill Hylton was on the Supersport cricket Commentary Team commentating on both local and International games.
His cricketer son HD Ackerman, the former South Africa batsman, also played for Western Province.
Born: Springs – Transvaal 28 April 1947
Dale College School Boy Cricket Career
Head Boy Dale College 1965
Played for Dale First X1 Cricket from 1960 / 1961 Season to 1965 / 1966 Season. Captain of Dale College 1963, 1964 and 1965 seasons. Was in St 6 – Grade 8 or 13 years old when selected to the First X1
Played 6 seasons for SA Schools – Captained SA Schools
Selected for first ever SA Schools Touring Team to UK
Batting at Dale College
78 innings.14 not out.
Scored 3157 runs with a highest score of 200 not out against Bedford Cricket Club.
7 x 100; 15 x 50 with an average of 49.3
Bowling
Took 82 wickets conceding 1095 runs
Best figures: 5 for 6 and 6 for 23
Honours awards: 1962:1963:1964: 1965
First Class Cricket
Career began whilst still a 17 year old schoolboy at Dale College.
His First Class Cricket achievements are: LHB, RM
First Season: 1963 /1964 to 1981 / 1982
Batting
Played 234 matches and 409 innings
Not out 33 times
Total runs 12219. Highest Score 208 and an average of 32.49
Tribute compiled by Old Dalian, Barry Turner. Thank you sir.
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