# Marco Jansen

Marco Jansen (born 1 May 2000) is a South African cricketer who plays for the South Africa national cricket team and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in domestic matches. He has represented South Africa in all formats of the game. He is currently the tallest active cricketer in the world.

## Early life

During his early years, Jansen used to open the batting. At the age of nine, in a 20-over match, he scored 164 not out. His father watched the match and identified his son's talent. He trained Jansen in the nets along with his twin brother Duan. Duan also plays cricket for North West.

## Domestic and T20 franchise career

Jansen made his List A debut for North West in the 2017–18 CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge on 8 April 2018. He made his first-class debut for North West in the 2018–19 CSA 3-Day Provincial Cup on 11 October 2018.
In January 2019, Jansen was named in the South Africa national under-19 cricket team's squad, ahead of their tour to India. He was the leading wicket-taker for North West in the 2018–19 CSA 3-Day Provincial Cup, with 27 dismissals in six matches.
Jansen made his Twenty20 debut for Knights in the 2018–19 CSA T20 Challenge on 28 April 2019. He was the leading wicket-taker for North West in the 2018–19 CSA 3-Day Provincial Cup, with 27 dismissals in six matches.
In September 2019, Jansen was named in the squad for the Durban Heat team for the 2019 Mzansi Super League tournament.
In February 2021, Jansen was bought by the Mumbai Indians in the IPL auction ahead of the 2021 Indian Premier League. Jansen made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians against Royal Challengers Bangalore on 9 April 2021. He took 2 wickets for 28 runs in his 4 overs, which included the wicket of Glenn Maxwell, his debut IPL wicket. Later the same month, he was named in Eastern Province's squad, ahead of the 2021–22 cricket season in South Africa.
In February 2022, Jansen was bought by the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the auction for the 2022 Indian Premier League tournament.
In May 2023, Jansen was selected by Washington Freedom to play in the inaugural 2023 Major League Cricket competition.

## International career

In January 2021, Jansen was added to South Africa's Test squad for their series against Pakistan.
In May 2021, Jansen was named in South Africa's Test squad for their series against the West Indies. In December 2021, Jansen received another call-up to South Africa's Test squad, this time for their home series against India. He made his Test debut on 26 December 2021, against India. His maiden test wicket was Jasprit Bumrah, caught at third slip by Wiaan Mulder.
In January 2022, Jansen got his maiden One Day International (ODI) call-up, for South Africa's home series against India. He made his ODI debut on 19 January 2022, for South Africa against India. In May 2022, Jansen was named in South Africa's Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for their away series against India. He made his T20I debut on 17 June 2022, for South Africa against India. He also played in the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India.
In May 2024, he was named in South Africa’s squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament, where South Africa finished runners up.
In November 2024, he was named in South Africa's squad for the Twenty20 International series against India. In the third match, he scored 54 off 17 deliveries, setting a record for the fastest T20I half-century against India.
In November 2024, he was named in South Africa's squad for the Test Series against Sri Lanka. On the second day of the 1st Test Series, he bowled his best figure of 7/13, toppling Sri Lanka to a score of 42, their lowest score in Test cricket. This feat made him the first ever South African to take a 10-fer at Kingsmead, Durban. He is also the first left-arm South African seamer to gain the feat.