Phangiso plans to shine in IPL’S shop window
“I WILL let the ball do the talking for me.”
That is Highveld Lions spinner Aaron Phangiso’s mindset ahead of the Twenty20 Champions League tournament taking place in just over a week in India between some of the world’s top provincial cricket sides in the short version of the game.
At the previous edition of the tournament, held in South Africa last year, Phangiso was one of the star performers as he launched himself on the international stage.
It was his performances in the tournament that ultimately led to his inclusion in the South African national team. Much expectation followed for the 29year-old to land a lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) contract, but it was not to be.
Phangiso was the second leading wicket-taker last year behind Australian Mitchell Starc of the Sydney Sixers. His teammate, fast bowler Chris Morris, was more fortunate as he was snapped up by Chennai Super Kings.
The left-arm orthodox bowler admitted his disappointment at being overlooked for an IPL spot earlier this year.
“Look, at the upcoming Champions League I won’t have any expectations. I’m just going to get on with the job,” he said.
“I must be honest, I was hopeful of getting an IPL contract after last year’s performance but it didn’t happen.
“One always goes into such tournaments knowing that if one does well people will take notice, and every player wants to do well in the hope of catching the eye of IPL teams.”
Phangi, as he is known by his peers, was among a list of South African players who failed to attract bids from IPL teams despite good performances leading up to the tournament earlier this year.
Farhaan Behardien, one of the more consistent batsmen in domestic cricket over the past season; Henry Davids, ranked among the top five batsmen at the last Champions League; and Gulam Bodi, one of the more ruthless strikers of the ball at the tournament last year, are some of the players who were overlooked.
They all happen to fall under
When the likes of Lonwabo Tsotsobe don’t get contracts, even when he’s ranked No 1, then you ask yourself ‘how come?’
the “black” classification.
Does colour really play a role?
“Honestly, I don’t want to get into the whole colour debate,” Phangiso said.
“But when the likes of Lopsy [Lonwabo Tsotsobe] don’t get contracts even when he’s ranked No 1 in the world, then you ask yourself ‘how come?’
“We have good players like Fudgie [Behardien], Rory [Kleinveldt], Henry Davids and perhaps myself, who are performing consistently.
“You then ask ‘is it colour or are they looking for something different?’
“You can’t really pinpoint it. At the end of the day we are cricketers and should not be judged on colour but what we do on the field,” Phangiso said.
However, former Proteas coach Ray Jennings, who is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to the IPL following his involvement in the tournament — particularly as coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore — put everything in perspective.
“The IPL is about supply and demand. The reality is that Indian spinners are a lot better than South Africans in subcontinent conditions. Colour has nothing to do with the bids,” Jennings said.
“Each team has a quota of four overseas players and those players need to show that they can play. When one looks at the IPL stats, no South African has really dominated. [Richard] Levi, Quinton de Kock — those guys struggled.
“Does a team go for Phangiso when there are guys like [Sri Lankan legend] Murali [Muttiah Muralitharan] and the Indian group of spinners? I think not.
“There is just too big a gap between our players and those used to the subcontinent conditions.”
Phangiso, Bodi, Tsotsobe, Temba Bavuma, Imran Tahir and Alviro Petersen will have an opportunity to prove their worth in the subcontinent when they do duty for the Lions, while Davids, Behardien, Ethy Mbhalati and Mangaliso Mosehle will be out to do the same for the Titans at the Champions League.
“I don’t want to get my hopes too high,” Phangiso said.
“I will just go out, play, do my best, and let the ball do the talking for me.”