Making Proteas squad better than IPL

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 05: Beuran Hendricks bowling for the Cobras during the 2014 Ram Slam T20 match between Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras and Chevrolet Knights at Sahara Park Newlands on January 05, 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images)

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 05: Beuran Hendricks bowling for the Cobras during the 2014 Ram Slam T20 match between Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras and Chevrolet Knights at Sahara Park Newlands on January 05, 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images)

Published Feb 18, 2014

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Johannesburg – Beuran Hendricks says his inclusion in the Proteas side for the ICC World T20 tournament in Bangladesh is “even better than an IPL contract”.

Hendricks’s inclusion is not that big of a surprise given his season record – 28 wickets for the Cape Cobras with an economy rate of 7.08. Not only does he swing the ball, he does so at great pace and is an excellent “death” bowler, an area in which South Africa have encountered problems in the past.

Hendricks was ecstatic about his selection yesterday, which comes after he was signed by Kings XI Punjab in the IPL last week. “It’s a dream come true,” he said. “I have been dreaming of playing for the Proteas since I was nine years old. It’s even more special because it’s a World Cup year, I will cherish this forever. It’s even better than an IPL contract. I have been waiting for this ever since I started playing cricket.”

The 23-year-old from Bellville paid tribute to the contributions made by Cricket SA’s high performance coach Vincent Barnes and Cobras teammate Charl Langeveldt in helping him climb to the top.

“Vincent Barnes and Charl Langeveldt have always been there for me, working with them has been a great help towards my bowling,” he said. “They have always tried to make sure that I am constantly on top of my game, and have been there to help with any areas of my bowling that needed work.

“Sometimes when I look back at the 28 wickets I got, I ask myself how on earth I managed to get there. I think it was important to keep it simple and to keep calm.

“I worked with Charl on my skills, adapting to pressure and sticking to the basics, that’s what helped me. I really hope that I can implement it for the Proteas when given the opportunity.”

Proteas selection convenor Andrew Hudson said Hendricks had earned his place through performance. “Hendricks’s inclusion underlines the fact that guys doing well in the domestic competition will get a look-in,” said Hudson. “He brings a lot of variety, bowls well up front and has got good death bowling.”

SA squad: Faf du Plessis (capt), Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Farhaan Behardien, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn, Morné Morkel, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Aaron Phangiso, Lonwabo Tsotsobe. - Cape Times

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