Phehlukwayo’s technique better ... now for gym work to lift speed
OTTIS GIBSON has been in the country for less than month, but the new Proteas coach has already made a significant impact on Andile Phehlukwayo.
The Proteas starlet claimed a careerbest 4/40 against Bangladesh in the series-clinching victory at Boland Park on Wednesday, and immediately credited the work done with Gibson over the past couple of weeks.
“We have been working on a few things,” Phehlukwayo said at the Cricket South Africa-Audi Q5 Fast Track Challenge in Clifton yesterday. “I have learnt some new stuff from him (Gibson). I am really happy to be working with him. He obviously has good experience having worked with international teams. My length is a bit better and I think have better control.”
At this early stage in Phelukwayo’s career it is clear he is only going to get better the longer he wears the green shirt of the Proteas. Aged just 21, he already has two four-wicket hauls and averages 44 with the bat after 19 ODIs. That is a stellar start to an international career, but he admits, though, that there is work to be done in the gym if wants to test the speed gun a bit more.
“It is an aspect that I need to work on. Getting my pace up a bit. I will be working on a bit of physical stuff, try to get my pace up. It is always a good thing to gain pace,” he explained.
“But the most pleasing aspect for me is that I am continuing to learn and improving with each game. Cricket at such a high level, it is important that you continue to learn about yourself and your game. You always have to be willing to take in things and get better every day.”
With the focus squarely on the 2019 World Cup in the Proteas camp, and on putting the plans and processes in place, a big part of that is, of course, the personnel that will undertake this challenge.
Barring injury or significant loss of form, the potent Proteas batting unit virtually chooses itself. History, though, tells us tournament cricket produces curve balls at the most inopportune times – like at the 2015 World Cup when JP Duminy’s injury severely disrupted the balance of the team.
The only way teams can prepare for such scenarios is to provide fringe players, particularly youngsters, with sufficient opportunities in the build-up to any major tournament. Aiden Markram’s call-up for the final ODI in East London on Sunday, while Hashim Amla takes a rest is a good example. Markram is the form batsman in the country, and also another “Class of 2015” graduate, who along with Phehlukwayo and Kagiso Rabada won the ICC U-19 World Cup in Dubai.
Having made their successful Test debuts together earlier this month, Phehlukwayo is excited about the prospect of his former U-19 skipper joining the national ODI team now too.
“I think if you’re good enough, you’re good enough. It doesn’t depend how many games you have played. If you have an opportunity to show people, show them,” Phehlukwayo said.
“It is really good and exciting to see a group of young players putting in performances for the team. It is definitely cool. It is a good environment. Obviously, when there are lot of senior players, they are married and are with their families, but it is always good to have a few guys to mingle with after the game.”