Ribblesdale Wanderers have signed emerging South African batting star Jordan Hermann as their substitute professional for Sunday’s Anthony Axford North West Cricket League Birtwistle Cup T20 Finals Day at Lostock, with captain Mack Spencer describing him as a “special cricketer”.

More than that, earlier this year, Proteas legend Allan Donald said of the 22-year-old left-handed opener: “You’re talking about a guy who can get close to AB de Villers or to Maxwell.”

Safe to say, if you have a spare day on your hands this weekend, it may well be worth getting down to Chew Moor Lane to watch a potential star of the future, who has been playing regular league cricket this summer for Denton West.

In January, while opening the batting with England’s Dawid Malan in the SAT20 competition, he smashed a sparkling hundred for Sunrisers Eastern Cape against an MI Cape Town bowling attack including Kagiso Rabada, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone and Kieron Pollard.

“Jordan’s got so much time, and I’d pay to watch him bat,” said Ribb skipper Spencer, who was helped with the signing by mutual friend Matthew Breetzke, the current South Africa international

“We’ve had Jordan twice already, and you can tell by the way he strikes the ball that he’s a special talent.

“I’m sure he will play for South Africa - you’d think he’ll debut in the next year or so - and have a great career.

“He’s a special cricketer and a top guy. He’s very humble.”

Wanderers play hosts Lostock in the second semi-final on Sunday at 1pm after Blackrod face Whalley at 10.30am. The final is at 4.30pm.

Spencer and company finished top of their T20 group with three wins from the five games, bowling sides out for 76 and 79 along the way. They then beat Cherry Tree in the quarter-final on the back of an imposing total of 165-6.

It has come off the back of a difficult start to the season in the Premiership.

They sit second-bottom in the table with two wins from 12 and are battling against relegation. Their two wins, however, have come in the last four rounds.

Their professional situation certainly hasn’t helped, with Michael Erlank having returned to South Africa in mid-June due to domestic commitments with the KwaZulu-Natal Inland side he captains.

“We’ve not had much luck with that,” said Spencer.

“Our original overseas amateur also went home injured before the start of the season, and we were scrambling to get Kevon Beckles in at the last minute.

“But, to be fair, we’ve landed on our feet with a few of the pros, Jordan, Ockie Erasmus, Jacques Snyman and Anuk Fernando. They’ve all been brilliant for us.

“Playing on a Friday night has helped us pick up a bit of form.

You feel like you’re not as rusty going into the Saturday. That’s certainly been the case for me, personally, anyway.

“At the start of the season, we were always competing in games. We’d bowl well or bat well and just not do the other.

“As a bowling unit in the T20s, we’ve bowled very well. Our attack has good skills. They can take the pace off when needed and things like that.

“Ian and Jordan Britcliffe, whoever the pro’s been, and the young lads in Joel Blackledge, Michael Worthy and George Kerr, our young spinner. They’ve all bowled well.

“We’ve built a bit of momentum recently, and a few players have got some confidence back with the bat, especially. That’s including myself. I’ve not scored big runs, don’t get me wrong, but I haven’t felt like a walking wicket like I did for a while.

“That confidence has been good to see.”

Wanderers were Ribblesdale League T20 champions in 2021.

If they are to win a second title in four seasons, they will have to get beyond a Lostock side who also topped their group with three wins from five games.

“We played Lostock a couple of weeks in the league,” said Spencer, who is looking forward to a memorable day.

We got the better of conditions that day, but they look a well-drilled side. We’ve never played them in T20s. It will be a tough game, but we’re confident.

“They’re great days, the Finals Days. There’s a great vibe about them. Everyone wants to win and have fun.

“Even if you do lose, it’s a good experience to be a part of. We’ve got a bus booked from the club to Lostock in the morning, and we’re getting picked up after the final. We’ll be staying whatever. But hopefully we’re in that final.”