Paterson’s rugby boots can now safely stay in the cupboard

DANE PATERSON had a long-standing wager with a close friend that if he was not selected for the Proteas in the next couple of years he would try his luck at rugby.

The Cape Cobras fast bowler, who was a promising fullback at high school, can now safely put those rugby boots away after being called up to the Proteas T20 squad this week for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.

Paterson was among seven new caps announced by the selectors as the senior core of the Proteas unit takes some well-deserved rest.

“(Laughs) Yeah those rugby boots can stay in the cupboard now,” Paterson said from East London where he and the rest of the Cobras will take on the Warriors in a Sunfoil Series clash from today.

“I got the phone call last Thursday. I must admit it was a bit of (a) surprise because my T20 form was a bit hot and cold to be honest, but I was very excited to get the call from Mr Zondi. I was tossing and turning all night, I couldn’t sleep afterwards because my roommate Aviwe (Mgijima) was going on all night too. He called Dane Piedt (Cobras captain) into the room too. Luckily we batted the next day otherwise there might have been a few problems.”

By his own admission, Paterson did not enjoy the most fruitful of T20 campaigns as his form dipped along with that of a Cobras team that were struggling with off-field issues. The selectors would have looked further into the fact that the 27-year-old was only two seasons ago rated as the Most Valuable Player on the national domestic circuit after claiming 42 four-day wickets in the 2014-15 season at an average of 22.54 and 13 wickets at 15.53 in the T20 Challenge.

It was during that season, and the following T20 campaign after another 12 scalps, that Paterson confirmed his status as one of the premier limited-overs bowlers in the country.

A lot of that can be attributed to work done with current Proteas bowling coach Charl Langeveldt in a different guise, and Paterson is champing at the bit to join up with his mentor at a higher level now.

“I am very excited to work with ‘Langes’ again. He showed me so much in a very short period of time he was with us at the Cobras before leaving to join the Proteas. He was just such a skilful bowler in his day, but the key with any advice Langes gives you is to keep it simple and not worry too much about what has gone by. The next ball is always the most important,” Paterson said.

Paterson’s immediate challenge is still some redball action with the Cobras, starting today at Buffalo Park. After last weekend’s magnificent victory over the Highveld Lions in Oudtshoorn – the first of the Cobras’ Sunfoil Series campaign – there is a renewed sense of energy and buzz in the Cobras dressing-room.

The Cobras will have to do without Oudtshoorn hero Wayne Parnell, who will be on Test duty at the Wanderers, and expectant father Omphile Ramela. Parnell’s absence will be the most felt, which is why Paterson has to put the excitement of his national call-up on the back-burner for now.

“It’s definitely back to business as usual. Last week’s victory was awesome and the boys are really looking to get our season back on track,” Paterson said. “We always knew (we) were going to lose ‘Parney’, he’s just so good, but that means one of us must now step and shoulder the responsibility.”