Proteas and Lions cricketer, Reeza Hendricks admits disappointment at performances this season
Hendricks, who averages in the mid-30s on the local scene, has for a long time been seen as one of the most talented limited-overs openers in South African cricket.
Proteas and Imperial Lions batsman, Reeza Hendricks admitted that last season was a frustrating one for him due to less game time for South Africa but he hopes the future will bring more opportunities.
The right-hander played three one-day internationals (ODIs) and three T20s for his country this past season, passing 30 only once as he struggled to build on the good form he had displayed on the domestic front. Hendricks played in all the matches of the drawn ODI series against England in February, taking his tally in the format to 21 matches. He has also featured in 23 T20s for his country over the past five-and-a-half years.”It was a season of many ups and downs,” the 30-year-old conceded.
“There was also a lot of disappointment along the way. “I thought I did really well on the domestic scene where I contributed in all formats, but then I was very disappointed in my own performances in the international and Proteas set-up. I only got a handful of opportunities.”
Hendricks, who averages in the mid-30s on the local scene, has for a long time been seen as one of the most talented limited-overs openers in South African cricket, but he said he preferred first-class cricket. “I think red-ball cricket is my strongest and I’ve been working really hard on that format over the past few years,” he said. “I have yet to play Test cricket, but I feel I have done really well for the Lions in first-class cricket over the last few years… But cricket is a funny game, one moment you think you are on top of a format and the next moment you’re not.”
Hendricks will be among those Proteas who are hopeful of playing in the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in Australia later in the year. He has set himself goals for the season ahead and hopes to achieve them in the coming months.
“I think there’s always going to be pressure, the pressure that comes from within. As a player, you will always look at the schedule and look forward to the season, try and set yourself some goals. Hopefully, I can contribute as well as I can and achieve my goals for whichever team I play for.”He is hoping for a return to regular training in the coming days as lockdown restrictions are eased in professional sport.”It has been very difficult for us, those of us who are used to being outdoors and playing. So I’ll be definitely looking forward to being outdoors and playing again.”He said while being stuck inside during the lockdown, he had focused on fitness and running, the parts of sport he did not enjoy as much.
