Behardien to captain with home advantage

PROTEAS T20 captain Farhaan Behardien admits there will be “goosebumps” when he walks out to toss the coin in the series finale against Sri Lanka tonight at Newlands.

Although Behardien plays his franchise cricket for the Titans in Centurion, the 33 year old is a born-and-bred Capetonian, having been reared in Surrey Estate where he played his junior cricket for local club Ottomans CC.

Tonight’s match is a sort of homecoming for Behardien after years of fighting his way to the top.

“I’m getting goosebumps talking about it. To captain my country took me by surprise, it’s a very proud moment for me and my family,” Behardien said yesterday.

“It will be quite nice to walk out of the home change room. Newlands is always a special place to play cricket. The people are amazing, the stadium is amazing. It holds a special place in my heart. I started my junior career here.”

Behardien will be leading a Proteas side that includes superstar AB de Villiers, who will be making his much-anticipated comeback after a six-month stint on the sidelines through injury.

There has been much debate surrounding De Villiers’s long-term future recently, but Behardien is just happy to have the star batsman among his charges for the crucial match.

“It’s unbelievable to have him back. He is one of the best T20 players in the world. He’s quite keen to come back. He’s quite hungry for cricket.” The match starts at 6pm with an expected capacity crowd expected to spur the Proteas on to a series victory over the Sri Lankans.