Jones was one of the Heat’s big assets during the 2021/22 domestic season and his contribution with bat and ball helped the team win the Division 2 4-day title and reach the final of the CSA One-Day Cup.

Jones has been snatched up by the Lions and he will be heading to Johannesburg to further his career.

Jones told OFM Sport that the Heat deserves recognition for giving him the platform to impress the Lions.

“A massive shout out to the Northern Cape Heat. They have been brilliant this past season and it was a successful campaign for them.

“If it's a successful campaign it always creates opportunity for individuals and I have been fortunate that one of the individuals was me.

“What Northern Cape Heat has done for me and what the coach, Mark Charlton, has done for me is something that I am very grateful for.”

Jones added that moving to the Lions is a massive opportunity and it is one that the 25-year-old is very much looking forward to.

“Moving to a massive franchise like the Lions is, I think, every players dream to play for a big team and to play Division 1 cricket.

“I'm very fortunate and I am looking forward to the opportunity.

“It's going to be a massive opportunity and challenge. It's very exciting and I am very excited.”

While Jones has played in just ten first-class games, his stats make for impressive reading, especially with the bat.

Jones has 783 runs to his record at an average of 71.18. He has three centuries with a highest score of 157* (of off just 128 balls. He also boasts with four half-centuries. This all from just 13 innings in the ten games to date.

Jones is one of five Heat players moving on, with the others being Aubrey Swanepoel, Beyers Swanepoel, Isaac Dikgale and Jonathan Vandiar. Aubrey Swanepoel and Dikgale will join the Itec Knights, while Beyer Swanepoel heads to the Warriors and Vandiar will link up with the KZN Tuskers.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport