Viljoen’s ready to put in Hard yards
Bruce Talbot speaks to the South African who is committed to leading the Derbyshire revival
Hardus Viljoen believes Derbyshire can build on the progress they have made this season – and he is desperate to play a big part in their revival.
The 28-year-old South African put a frustrating first summer behind him at Hove this week when he took 7-80 in Sussex’s first innings – the best figures by a Derbyshire bowler for two years.
But he is fully fit and looking forward to finishing strongly and kicking on next season. And he says the same applies to the county, who are set for a lowly finish in the Championship but did reach the quarter-finals of the T20 Blast for the first time since 2005.
“We have learnt a lot as a squad this season,” he said. “No one expected us to get to the quarter-finals so that was a massive stepping stone in terms of the squad and everyone behind the scenes.
“We’ve got a young team with a few seasoned pros like Billy Godleman, Wayne Madsen and myself. Those youngsters have had to take responsibility for their performances but I think we have seen that happen.”
Viljoen’s haul at Hove – a ground where he took six wickets for Kent last season – took his tally to a modest 15 Championship victims in a season wrecked by knee and groin injuries which has restricted him to just four four-day appearances.
“To be able to play a full season will be nice,” added Viljoen, who removed Alastair Cook with his first ball in his only Test appearance for South Africa in January 2016, before registering as a Kolpak.
“A good 2018 for me would be to take 50 Championship wickets and if I achieved that I could set myself some new goals.”
Viljoen produced some of the quickest bowling seen at Hove this season – and that includes Sussex speedster Jofra Archer.
“Sometimes the quicker I try to bowl the less it seems to get through,” he added. “But I have felt my rhythm since I started playing in England has got a lot better. It’s something I am working on with my coach back in South Africa Gordon Parsons. When I don’t try too hard it seems to come out quicker.”
Viljoen became the first Derbyshire bowler to take seven wickets at Hove since 1977 while his figures were the best by a non-English bowler for the county since Ian Bishop took 7-34 against Hampshire at Portsmouth in 1992.