Statistics are a big part of cricket. There is bound to be a statistic about who is the fastest, quickest, most runs scored, and most wickets taken, to name a few.

It is part of what makes cricket exciting. One statistic catches the eye when going through the recent 2023 IXU InterVarsity T20 Tournament scorecards. Gerhardus Jacobus 'GJ' Maree scored 112 runs (6x4, 12x6) from 41 balls at a strike rate of 273.12. He did so against North West University.

Judging by the statistics, it was a terrific knock. In September this year, Kushal Malla set a record by scoring 137 runs (8x4, 12x6) from 34 balls while playing for Nepal against Mongolia. It is the fastest century in international T20 cricket. In 2017, South Africa's David Millar scored 101 from 35 balls against Bangladesh.

Only 11 cricketers have scored a century from 41 balls or less in international T20 cricket. 

Maree is the first to admit that comparing club cricket stats to what happens in international cricket is presumptuous. Still, he couldn't help but feel proud of his achievement.

"It was a dream inning. It was as if I could do nothing wrong. Every ball hits the middle of the bat. I wonder if I will ever again play an inning like that."

The BCom Financial Science student has always been passionate about cricket. It cannot be helped, as his dad, Gerhard, is a cricket coach. So, from a young age, his dad has taught him the finer skills of the game. It has paid dividends. Last year, Maree represented Free State at the Khaya Majola Cricket Week in Stellenbosch. A highlight was scoring 87 runs in the game against North West.

Maree has also played for the South African under-19 national cricket team. His best batting performance was scoring 44 against Sri Lanka in January 2022.

By enrolling at UP-Tuks to study, Maree is continuing a family tradition. His dad also studied at Tuks, and he captained the TuksCricket team.

Maree is a batman/wicketkeeper. One would not have guessed it by looking at him, as he is 1.88 meters tall. However, he does not consider his length to be a handicap.

"I love keeping, which means I am mostly involved in the game."

When asked what his secret is to be focused on as a wicketkeeper, Maree said, "You got to be able to switch off between each delivery. I think about how and where to make financial investments when the bowler returns to his marker. I am focused again when he turns around to start his run-up."

If the Tuks student-athlete can have one dream come true, it will be to play test cricket for South Africa.

"Test cricket is, to me, the game's purest form. It allows batters and bowlers to duel it out genuinely."