Cape Town - Proteas T20 captain Farhaan Behardien admits there will be “goose-bumps” when he walks out to spin the coin in the series finale against Sri Lanka on Wednesday evening at Newlands.
Although Behardien plays his franchise cricket for the Titans up in Centurion, the 33-year-old is a born-and-bred Cape Tonian, having been reared in Surrey Estate where he played his junior cricket for local club Ottomans CC. Tonight’s match is a sort of homecoming for Behardien after years of fighting his way to the top.
“I’m getting goose-bumps talking about it. To captain my country took me by surprise, it’s a very proud moment for me and my family,” Behardien told a strong media contingent after training at Newlands on Tuesday.
“It will be quite nice to walk out of the home change room. Newlands is always a special place to play cricket. The people are amazing, the stadium is amazing. It holds a special place in my heart. I started my junior career here.”
Behardien will be leading a Proteas side that includes superstar AB de Villiers, who will be making his much-anticipated comeback after a six-month stint on the sidelines through injury.
There has been much debate surrounding De Villiers’s long term future recently, but Behardien is just happy to have the star batsman among his charges for the crucial match.
“It’s unbelievable to have him back. He is one of the best T20 players in the world. He’s quite keen to come back. He’s quite hungry for cricket,” Behardien said.
The match starts at 6pm with an expected capacity crowd expected to spur the Proteas on to a series victory over the Sri Lankans.