Already anointed by many as the next Jacques Kallis, 18 year old Wiaan Mulder has a lot to live up to, but Highveld Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana believes the all-rounder is capable of dealing with those big expectations.
Mulder this week put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the Lions, following a number of offers from around the country. “There were other franchises sniffing around, so we are very happy to have kept him,” Toyana said yesterday.
Mulder will complete his matric at St Stithians College this year, but Toyana is happy that once that is out of the way he can challenge for a starting place in the franchise team.
“He’s a batting all-rounder, which is something we are all struggling to find and produce, not just at the Lions but in South Africa. We have Dwaine Pretorius, who was outstanding last season but around the country there aren’t many batting all-rounders,” said Toyana.
Mulder has been the outstanding player for the SA under-19 team for the last couple of years and last week received multiple awards illustrating the impact he has had recently at junior level. Mulder was named the Under-19 Cricketer of the Year by Cricket South Africa and was also the named the Player of the Tournament for the Khaya Majola Week and the Schools T20 Cricketer of the Year.
“I think he’s the most talented player we’ve had for a long while, talent-wise he’s in the same category as a Quinton de Kock and Kagiso Rabada,” Toyana added.
“It is a big step up from junior level to the professional game, but he is such a talented kid. His stats at Under-19 level have been unbelievable. We want to give him a chance, like we’ve done with other talented youngsters.”
Toyana is wary of pushing Mulder too hard too soon, and stressed that the impending matric exams will take precedence. However he would like to introduce him to the senior ranks at the eKasi Challenge in month’s time against the Titans. “We obviously have to manage him properly.”
As for the comparisons with Kallis, one of the greatest all-rounders to play the game, Toyana isn’t too concerned to burden Mulder with so much expectation.
“He’s a smart kid. In terms of talent, the various people I’ve talked to say he is very much like Kallis - he bats very well, bowls with good pace and is good in the field.
“I believe he can handle the pressure. There is just so much potential there, he could become a very valuable player for us and then hopefully for the Proteas.” - The Star