Warriors' Eddie Moore keeps knocking on Proteas selectors' door
Warriors batsman Eddie Moore is determined to keep giving the national selectors a nudge by notching up even more runs this coming season.
Moore, 27, has been a mainstay in the Warriors batting lineup for the last few seasons and has now set his sights on cracking the nod for a spot in the Proteas squad.
The fluent left-hander was the biggest winner at the Warriors’ virtual awards evening last week, walking away with four accolades.
Moore, who was previously part of SA’s A tour to India last year but never played a game, said that just being part of that squad had made him hungry to achieve even more.
“It was pretty unfortunate not to get an opportunity to play, but in saying that, everything happens for a reason and sometimes we have to take the bad with the good,” Moore said.
“It just motivated me to work harder and improve all aspects of my game.”
He said despite not getting time out in the middle on the tour, it made him more determined to make it to the top.
“The guys who played were established Proteas as they were preparing for a tour at the time.
“So it was unfortunate for the guys like myself who might have had an opportunity to put our hands up and say we were ready for the challenge.
“Looking back, I really took a lot from the changing room chats — it has made me more hungry, determined and I felt like I could actually do it.
“There was also the realisation that the step up in levels was not as high as one often thinks.
“Seeing the players you compete against each season doing well and progressing gave me a huge boost in self confidence and the belief that I could do it,” Moore said.
He said it had been a proud moment for him to be honoured last week for his hard work and contributions towards the team.
“It is always nice to get recognition and a feeling that the hard work is paying off in the end. Getting four awards was great, but my favourite award was the Players’ Player award.
“To be honoured in this way and being recognised by my teammates is a big thing for me, because I love playing for the team and contributing in any way I can,” he said.
Having also been given the opportunity to showcase his talents in the game’s shorter format, Moore felt he had had a decent season with the Eastern Cape franchise.
“For some reason I had never got a spot in the white-ball setup and it was something I struggled to deal with for some time.
“But I grabbed the opportunity with both hands when it came my way.”
Looking ahead, Moore said he was confident the team could pick up where they had left off last season as the squad was filled with talented individuals, each bringing their own skill set to the team.
“I think there is a great balance in the squad at the moment. The nice thing about the Warriors is, we are a unit.
“Here at the Warriors we have been a tight-knit group and I hope that we can continue producing the results we need as a team,” he said.
So it was unfortunate for the guys like myself who might have had an opportunity to put our hands up and say we were ready for the challenge