Shadley van Schalkwyk, a 37-year-old South African-born all-rounder, plays for the USA national cricket team and made his international debut in 2024. He gained prominence during the T20 World Cup 2026 as one of the tournament's top wicket-takers.
Shadley van Schalkwyk was born on August 5, 1988, in Cape Town, South Africa, a city renowned for nurturing cricket legends. Growing up in Cape Town, cricket was a constant presence in parks, sports grounds, and schools. Now 37 years old, van Schalkwyk has experienced cricket journeys across three distinct circuits: as a promising South African talent, a domestic cricket mainstay, a migrant to the United States, and ultimately, a World Cup star. Shadley van Schalkwyk has not disclosed his religious beliefs or background in any media interviews or public discussions. Having grown up in Cape Town’s multicultural setting and focusing solely on cricket, he prefers to keep personal matters private. Information about Shadley van Schalkwyk’s family remains scarce, with little known about his parents or siblings. His family stood firmly behind his cricket ambitions, supporting him through the typical South African cricket development path. This support persisted even when international opportunities appeared out of reach and notably extended to endorsing his courageous move to America in his early thirties. The jersey number worn by Shadley van Schalkwyk for the United States national team is 89, a number that has also become symbolic of his presence on the field. Though he keeps his personal life largely private, Shadley van Schalkwyk shared a marriage photo on Instagram. His spouse is Anzél Van Schalkwyk. The couple wed in 2018, and since then, Anzel has been Shadley’s most ardent supporter. high-value contracts await skilled all-rounders in leagues like Major League Cricket and the ILT20 in the UAE. During the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Shadley earned a salary of $10,000 per season while playing for the Los Angeles Riders, staying within the league’s salary cap. Shadley van Schalkwyk’s cricket journey has been anything but smooth, marked by two distinct phases: first in South African domestic cricket, followed by recognition and success with the USA national team. In 2021, at age 33, Shadley van Schalkwyk relocated to the United States. He began his American cricket journey with the Seattle Thunderbolts in Minor League Cricket, effectively starting over. This led to a pivotal moment in 2024 when he earned a spot on the USA national team. His international debut came on April 7, 2024, in a T20I match against Canada, finally receiving the recognition that had eluded him during his South African career. His ODI debut followed on August 13, 2024. As a right-arm fast bowler, he has claimed 17 wickets in 13 ODI matches at an average of 32.35. In T20Is, he has taken 26 wickets in 17 matches at an impressive strike rate of under 13. He has also made valuable contributions with the bat, scoring 167 runs in ODIs at an average of 21. In T20Is, he has delivered handy performances, averaging 21.40 runs per innings with a strike rate of 112. So far, he has played just one match in the ILT20, failing to take a wicket. However, he has been a consistent presence in Major League Cricket, which is his home league in the USA. Notably, he also appeared in two Champions League T20 matches for South Africa’s Knights team. With the bat, Shadley van Schalkwyk has shown glimpses of his talent, particularly with useful lower-order knocks, his highest score being 27. After years of perseverance, van Schalkwyk earned his international debut at the age of 36—a monumental milestone for him. The T20 World Cup 2026 became another defining chapter, where he ranked among the tournament’s top wicket-takers. Shadley van Schalkwyk is a 37-year-old South African-born all-rounder representing the USA in international cricket since 2024. No, Shadley van Schalkwyk was born and raised in South Africa before moving to the United States later in life. How old is Shadley van Schalkwyk? Shadley van Schalkwyk is currently 37 years old. All images included are for editorial use only and are licensed solely through Getty/Source.