It is Cricket World Cup year and Lions batsman Rassie van der Dussen is eagerly anticipating a possible one-day international debut at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Saturday (1pm).
Less than one month shy of 30 years old, he is making the most of his opportunities.
He made his debut international appearance for the Proteas only at the age of 29 – against Zimbabwe in East London in October.
And now, with two T20 internationals under his belt, the attacking right-hander is champing at the bit to prove himself in the longer white-ball version and book a berth in the Proteas squad for the World Cup in England and Wales starting on May 30.
It is surprising that Van der Dussen was not given an opportunity earlier when one considers his stats.
He averages more than 43 in both first-class and List A domestic cricket. His average in T20 cricket is just under 37.
Those figures alone underline his quality and he was superb in the recent Mzansi Super League for Jozi Stars.
“I’m obviously hoping to make my debut,” Van der Dussen said before the squad’s training session at St George’s Park on Thursday.
“I have not played a one-day game for South Africa. I played two T20s. If that day does come, contributing towards a win and a winning cause is the most important and also to feed off the experienced guys.
“For me it’s a massive honour and privilege to be here and I’m happy to be here and if I can learn and improve a bit that’s the main goal.”
He said the squad would harness the momentum gathered from the Test side’s whitewash over Pakistan.
“The Test team did brilliantly well in the Test series – 3-0 at home against a very formidable Pakistan side was obviously great and we are hoping to take that momentum into the one-day competition.
“There are one or two new faces, including me, and we are just trying to feed off that momentum from the Test players.”
Looking ahead to the fivematch one-day series, the Pretoria-born star said the teams would start on an even keel.
“I think it’s important to go back to square one.
“The Pakistan team will also see it as an opportunity for them to start afresh and make an impact on the series, and the same for us,” he said.
“It’s a new format and it’s basically two new teams, so yes, momentum counts for some of it, but from our side we know we are going to have to be at out best to beat a very strong side.”
“It’s important for everyone involved in the series and even some guys who are not in the squad currently.
“It is World Cup year but from a player’s point of view the emphasis is to perform and be at your best every day and whatever happens, happens.”
He said the team was looking forward to playing at St George’s again.
“This field at the moment is one of the best in the country if you look at the outfield and the pitch always has a nice pace to it. It’s a ground that has good memories for me.
“I made my [domestic] T20 debut here a few years ago.”
The squads are:
South Africa:
Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), David Miller, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Duanne Olivier, Rassie van der Dussen.
Pakistan:
Sarfaraz Ahmed (capt), Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Imad Wasim, Imam-ulHaq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Shoaib Malik, Usman Shinwari