Phehlukwayo could be Proteas’ Pandya
Dolphins man good example of seaming all-rounder
SOUTH AFRICA could be on the verge of unleashing their very own Hardik Pandya.
The young Indian all-rounder has been sensational recently across formats, but it his success in the Test arena that has really surprised.
Pandya played only 17 first-class matches, had just one “five-for” and no first-class century prior to his Test debut against Sri Lanka last month.
However, the 23-year-old was already a hit in T20 cricket for the Mumbai Indians, and also played a rasping innings in a losing cause for India in the ICC Champions Trophy final against Pakistan.
With this experience and international exposure under his belt, Pandya struck a half-century on debut before blasting a maiden Test ton just two matches later.
South Africa are in a similar position with Andile Phehlukwayo. The 21-year-old has shown in recent oneday international and T20 series that he definitely has the mental resolve and skill-set to be successful at international level, but like Pandya, has limited first-class experience.
And, with Vernon Philander, Chris Morris and Wayne Parnell all unavailable for the first Test against Bangladesh next week due to injury, the national selectors may just turn to Phehlukwayo.
Philander and Morris both have back ailments, while Parnell hurt his groin while training in the gym.
“I think he has shown he has the potential,” Cricket South Africa High Performance Manager Vincent Barnes told Independent Media.
“Personally, I have actually always felt that he’s a better red-ball bowler anyways.
“For all the skills he utilises in limited-overs cricket, he showed plenty of aggression on the South Africa “A” team tour of Australia last winter. I really liked that. He bowled a quite a few bumpers and I thought he was really up there and troubling the Aussie batsmen.”
Barnes was also on the “A” team tour of Zimbabwe last season when Phehlukwayo bagged 5/62 in Bulawayo. It remains, though, his solitary five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
Phehlukwayo was part of the Proteas Test squad on the recent England tour, but was not handed a debut even though both Philander and Morris sat out a couple of Tests due to their respective injuries.
It was understood at the time that Phehlukwayo was in England more to “observe” and “learn” which would ultimately enhance his development. Without being disrespectful to Bangladesh, the timing of a Test debut against the Asian nation at Potchefstroom’s Senwes Park is far less daunting a task than in foreign conditions against England at Old Trafford.
Barnes does have his reservations about rushing Phehlukwayo because “he’s dropped some pace since Australia” but believes if used in the correct role, new Proteas coach Ottis Gibson may just have stumbled on his first diamond.
“It all depends on how he is used. I think batting him at No 7 would be too high. But if it’s seven specialist batsmen, including (wicketkeeper) Quinny (de Kock), and Andile comes in at No 8, then he could be a real asset, especially on the pitches that we’ll be using for the Bangladesh series,” Barnes explained.