Johannesburg - Lions left-arm quick Lonwabo Tsotsobe is still motivated to play for the Proteas should his services be required in the near future.
Tsotsobe, 31, has not played for the Proteas since March 2014 in a T20 International and it’s been almost two years since he represented South Africa in a One Day International.
“That’s always the motivation for me. I’m still a CSA contracted player,” said Tsotsobe on Tuesday at the Wanderers, where the Lions were preparing for their opening Momentum Cup match against the Cape Cobras at the same venue on Saturday.
“That’s why I always strive for success because I don’t like being mediocre. I like performing and coming out on top because I hate losing. But it comes down to what you put in. The Proteas motivate me and getting back there is what I want.”
With the T20 World Cup around the corner in India in March next year, the experienced bowler may be in contention with another strong season domestically.
“I’m not a guy that looks far ahead. You can perform as much as you want, it’s up to the selectors to pick you. Those guys are also looking for the 12 or 15 that will go out there and represent our country best. I might not be among those names, or I might be, so I’ll do my best to put doubt in the selectors’ minds.”
Tsotsobe also had a good tour of India in August where he topped the bowling averages in the Triangular series. There he averaged 32 with the ball with five wickets in four matches, in conditions nowhere near suited to fast bowling on the flat Indian pitches.
The veteran of 61 ODIs said he was past the point in his career where he still had something to prove, instead he would keep focussing on putting in the hard work needed to be successful in top flight cricket.
“I don’t think I’ve got any point to prove, I’ve been on that stage before. I’ve come out on top. It’s just a matter of being patient. You’ve got young guys like Kagiso Rabada coming up, it would be unfair of me to say I’ll just walk back into the side.
“All I need to do is work hard like I did in India. Luckily the wickets in South Africa have some bounce, whereas in India it was just flat. Here if I follow the same processes, I’ll do well.”
With talent like Rabada, 20, coming through the ranks it was important the players were well managed according to Tsotsobe.
“I just hope that those youngsters are well looked after. We always say there are youngsters coming through, but they’re not always looked after very well. I’m just hoping that CSA or their respective franchises will look after them so they can progress to the next level.”
African News Agency