Veeran looks to UK to up his game
IN an effort to refine his cricket skills, KwaZulu-Natal Inland wicket-keeper batsman Joel Veeran, has spent time in Scotland playing for Kelso Cricket Club.
The 20-year-old has been in good form in the UK, so far scoring three 50s, and one hundred against Heriot Cricket Club.
While in South Africa Veeran is generally regarded as a wicketkeeper, in the UK he chooses to be an allrounder. In the match against Heriot where he scored a hundred, he also starred with the ball, taking 3-29 from 10 overs. Veeran’s time in the UK is likely to help him improve his game to be able to better adapt to match situations ahead of the 2019/20 provincial season.
“Cricket in the UK is different from back home. The ball swings a lot more, the pitches are a lot slower, it’s a lot colder and very wet out here as well.
“To add to those challenges, as the overseas professional, there is a lot of expectation on you to win the match for your team every week. I feel that all these things do help in developing you as a player”
Veeran, of Bellair, fell in love with the game when he was 6-years-old after watching his brother Darius, who taught him the fundamentals of play.
“After breaking many things inside the house with my brother during our own little version of fire in Babylon I realised that I wanted to play this sport professionally.
“I was very well supported on this journey by quite a few people and the various clubs I’ve played for as well, but I’d like to thank my brother and parents as well as a few close friends, that kept my focus on the goal even when I doubted myself.
“I also firmly believe that I was put on this path by God and without him I wouldn’t be speaking to you right now,” added the youngster.
“Juicy J”, as he is known on the cricket field, is looking to help KZN Inland win silverware once he arrives back in South Africa.
“We’re a phenomenal team, and we always play winning cricket. I would love to help the team add to the collection of silverware this season.
“To do that I know I’ve got to focus on my processes, when you focus on the process the end result takes care of itself,” said the confident all-rounder from Scotland.