Claude Henderson

Claude William Henderson (born 14 June 1972) is a South African former cricketer who bowled left-arm spin and played in seven Test matches and four One Day Internationals in 2001 to 2002.[1]

Claude Henderson
Personal information
Full name
Claude William Henderson
Born (1972-06-14) 14 June 1972 (age 52)
Worcester, Cape Province, South Africa
BattingRight-handed
BowlingSlow left arm orthodox
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 45)7 September 2001 v Zimbabwe
Last Test25 October 2002 v Bangladesh
ODI debut (cap 66)23 September 2001 v Zimbabwe
Last ODI7 October 2001 v Kenya
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1990/91–1997/98Boland
1998/99–2003/04Western Province
2004–2013Leicestershire (squad no. 15)
2006/07–2007/08Lions
2008/09–2010/11Cape Cobras
Career statistics
CompetitionTestODIFCLA
Matches74273257
Runs scored655,6371,203
Batting average9.2818.9114.85
100s/50s0/00/200/0
Top score308145
Balls bowled196221765,08911,384
Wickets227905319
Bowling average42.1818.8530.7626.09
5 wickets in innings00342
10 wickets in match0020
Best bowling4/1164/177/576/29
Catches/stumpings2/–0/–88/–57/–
Source: Cricinfo, 16 June 2013

Domestic cricket

Henderson played domestically for Boland and Western Province before joining Leicestershire in 2004, Henderson became the first Kolpak registered player in the County Championship,[2] which allows certain players without a British passport, to play in England without counting as an overseas player under the restrictions on overseas players.

In June 2006, against Surrey, Henderson recorded an innings analysis of three wickets for 235 runs from 54 overs and 2 ball, the most expensive innings figures in the history of the County Championship.

Henderson was in fine form for the Lions cricket team in the 2006–07 SuperSport Series. He was the 5th leading wicket taker in the competition with 34 wickets at an average of 24[3] He has had a disappointing 2007 season with Leicestershire though.

In 2008, he joined Cape Cobras and after consistent performances, he gained a place in the Cobras squad for the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 competition in India in 2009.

2011 marked Henderson's testimonial year at Leicestershire. Despite this, he was also Leicester's leading wicket taker in the County Championship and was a significant contributor in the Foxes 2011 Friends Life t20 cup win, where his 4 over spell in the final against Somerset conceded just 11 runs. He was rewarded with a new contract at the end of the season.

Henderson announced that he would be retiring from first class cricket at the end of the 2013 season at the age of 41. He plans to return to South Africa, where he will become a television pundit and coach.[4] His last game turned out to be the County Championship match at the end of April 2013 against Gloucestershire, where his final victim was Benny Howell.

International cricket

Henderson had to wait until 2001 to make his international debut after Nicky Boje needed surgery. He was selected to make his test debut against neighbours Zimbabwe in Harare. Following the retirement of Boje from the South African test side, Henderson was approached to replace him for the home series against India.[5] Henderson rejected the approach because of his contract with Leicestershire,[6] only willing to play for South Africa if he was given a contract with the South African cricket board.[7][8]

Coaching career

On 5 October 2021, Henderson was announced as director of cricket at Leicestershire County Cricket Club.[9]

Career-best performances

BattingBowling (innings)
ScoreFixtureVenueSeasonFiguresFixtureVenueSeason
Test30South Africa v AustraliaAdelaide20014/116South Africa v AustraliaAdelaide2001
ODI4/17South Africa v ZimbabweHarare2001
FC81Leicestershire v GloucestershireLeicester20077/57Boland v Eastern ProvincePaarl1994
LA45Lions v EaglesJohannesburg20066/29Boland v EasternsPaarl1997
T2032Leicestershire v NorthamptonshireNorthampton20103/23Cape Cobras v DolphinsDurban2009

References