Durban - Having forced his way back into the national side, Wayne Parnell is simply looking to contribute as much as he can to the Proteas, whether it be with the ball, or bat.
Speaking ahead of the Proteas’ second ODI against Sri Lanka in Durban on Wednesday (1:30pm), Parnell admitted that although it has always been the ball that has done the talking for him, he would also like to see what he can offer with the bat as he traipses the line between bowler and all-rounder.
Having restricted Sri Lanka to 181 all-out in Port Elizabeth, thanks in part to Parnell's figures of 3-48, the Cobras man posed a question to his coach at the innings break.
“I was asked during the break in PE, if Russell (Domingo) would send me out there as a pinch hitter, so I mentioned it to the coach, but he said no!” Parnell said with a smile.
Perhaps he has every reason to ask such bold questions. With his franchise team he has been seen opening the batting and doing quite well. Early this year, against the Lions, Parnell struck an unbeaten 103. Although not yet given the chance to shine with the bat, the 27-year-old admits he is happy to just be contributing.
“Contributing, bat or ball or wherever, I think that has always been my goal for whatever team I pay for,” Parnell went on to explain. “It doesn’t matter where or how, it is just about wanting to contribute.”
Although not quite ready to class himself as an all-rounder, Parnell is happy to wait for his big break at the national level with the bat, and from there he will be able to determine if he is cut out to be a master of both crafts at the highest level.
“With more opportunities that I had at domestic cricket last season, and this season, I think people are seeing more what I can do with the bat than in the past. As for what the future holds, we will just have to wait and see, but I am happy to see how the process plays out.”