Leaving the Cobras is hard – Hendricks
IT is often said that a change is as good as a holiday. For Beuran Hendricks, though, a change means the opportunity to work, to ply his trade … to put his shoulder to the wheel.
For that’s what Hendricks, the five time-capped Proteas T20 left-arm fast bowler, wants to do now that he’s swopped the Cape Cobras for the Highveld Lions on a permanent basis.
The last couple of years have been extremely frustrating for the 26-year-old paceman from Bellville. Although off-field matters have gone swimmingly, with Hendricks recently marrying his long-time girlfriend and becoming a father, his on-field commitments have been limited due to several injuries and a competition for places at the Cobras.
A career-threatening stress fracture back in 2014 severely dented the promising quick bowler’s progress, while there have also been groin ailments since.
These setbacks have caused many to forget that Hendricks smashed the national T20 domestic record with 28 wickets at 10.28 in the 2013-14 season, that earned him the opportunity to play at the World T20 and a lucrative IPL contract with the Kings XI Punjab the following season.
While Hendricks admits having learnt a great deal about his game and character during those heady times, that’s all consigned to history. He stressed that he is virtually back at the start of his professional career again now that he’s moved to the “Bullring”.
“There’s nothing greater than representing your country. Playing with guys like Dale Steyn, AB de Villiers… in a charged-up atmosphere in a big tournament like the World T20,” Hendricks said.
“Equally, the IPL was a great experience. I never had many opportunities because the Kings XI also had Mitchell Johnson, but just being in the same dressing-room around those guys and playing the odd game gave me the belief that I can play at that level.
“That belief was essential to hang to during those tough times when I was out with injury. It kept me going. It provided the motivation that I could come back and compete at that level again. Leaving the Cobras is a hard decision. It’s not easy leaving your home, your family, your friends. Cape Town and Newlands has always been my home.
“But Geoff (Toyana, Lions coach) gave me an opportunity to come on loan last season and it went okay because I was out on the park playing cricket again. That’s all I want to do. Giving my all out on the park and playing as much as possible.”
The loan move to the Lions went better than “okay”. Despite the 2015-16 champions faltering in their defence of the Momentum One-Day Cup title by finishing just above the Cobras in fifth place, Hendricks still had a stellar campaign.
Despite playing two matches less than his teammates, Hendricks still closed off the season as the Lions’ leading wicket-taker in the competition with 14 scalps.
The One-Day Cup success was a continuation of the progress Hendricks showed in the Sunfoil Series, too, where he claimed his maiden five-wicket haul for his new franchise in the final game of the season.
This return to form and fitness – Hendricks played the entire 2016-17 season without suffering an injury – has not gone unnoticed at national level.
The selectors have monitored Hendricks closely during his comeback and have now rewarded him with a place in Shukri Conrad’s South Africa A squad for the upcoming fourday series against the England Lions.
“(I’m) thrilled to be back in the mix,” Hendricks enthused. “I really didn’t expect it. But that’s why the move to the Lions has been so good for me already. I just want to play. And the Lions gave me the opportunity. Geoff and all the people at the Lions have made me feel so welcome.”