T20’s form batsman Behardien loves all things Boks
IT’S an open secret in the Proteas dressingroom that rugby union is middle-order batsman’s Farhaan Behardien’s first love.
Regardless if the Proteas are in Bangalore or Barbados, Behardien ensures there is an online live stream option available for his teammates to watch the Springbok’s Tests.
He is the first to applaud a try and the last to leave the room after a defeat.
The passion for the oval ball game stems from a promising schoolboy and 1st XV club career as a speedy wing in Western Province that had the potential to grow into something more substantial before a career-ending shoulder injury at just 21.
It is no wonder Behardien is easily the most excited within the Proteas squad for tonight’s Nelson Mandela Legacy Cup clash at Newlands.
“I love my rugga, and especially the Springboks. No matter where we are, I will make a plan for us to watch their Test matches.
“I’m the guy that organises the team room, the big screen, everything, just so that we can watch the Bokke,” Behardien told Independent Media.
“I am always first in line when there’s anything to do with the Boks. I remember meeting the guys the last time leading run-scorer ahead of last night’s matches, with 267 runs at a mind-boggling average of 133.50.
Even more astonishing is his strike-rate of 174.50.
It is this red-hot form that has helped the Titans to the summit of the T20 Challenge log and pole position to claim a home final for the second successive season.
“I’m enjoying my cricket and the arrival of Mark Boucher has also brought a great deal of intensity to our squad. I haven’t changed anything in terms of technique or gameplan, there is just a greater intensity at the crease,” Behardien said.
“I’ve also enjoyed playing with my best friend, Heino Kuhn, again. We really know each other’s games and feed off each other’s energies, so that’s also been really good.”
The form Berhardien is currently enjoying bodes well for a long international season.
The Proteas face off against Sri Lanka in three T20 Internationals in addition to five ODI’s during the home summer.
The national team then flies off to New Zealand for a further one-off T20 before another five ODIs against the Black Caps.
There are another three ODIs in England in May in preparation for the Proteas’ next bid to annex a major title when the ICC Champions Trophy gets under way in the United Kingdom.
“It is another big summer for us. We play lots of limited-overs cricket and the team is really taking shape after the 5-0 whitewash of the Aussies the last time we were all together.
“It’s always good to be in a bit of form and scoring runs. It keeps you at the forefront of the selectors thoughts and in good nick when the internationals come around.”