Proteas all-rounder, Andile Phehlukwayo, aims to take his game to the “next level” this coming season and win more games for South Africa with bat and ball, writes Ongama Gcwabe.

There’s not a lot of youngsters who make their debuts in international cricket and show class, composure and a sense of belonging. Andile is one of those few youngsters.

With 89 international games, across all formats, behind his name at just 24 years old, Phehlukwayo has had a fantastic start to his career. 

“My story about how I got into cricket, I was lucky enough to be staying with my mom when I was in primary school,” said Phehlukwayo exclusively to Cricket Fanatics Magazine.

“And I used to spend a lot of time with my grandparents who love cricket and they nurtured me and taught me a few things about cricket.”

In 2016, at just 20 years old, Phehlukwayo earned ODI cap number 118 in a match against Ireland. He was pretty much in every ODI squad after that series.

Having all that spotlight and exposure is nice but also challenging for any player, let alone a 20-year-old youngster.

“I think one of the biggest things that I went through was balancing between being young and being in an international career so early,” Phehlukwayo said.

“Besides that, I think also back at home, having to be the breadwinner, having to have a lot of responsibility knowing that you’re probably the person that they rely on.

“So it is sometimes a massive challenge, but it’s something that helps you grow in terms of being an adult and understanding that you play a big responsibility in terms of other people’s lives not just yours.”

Everybody remembers the run-chase against Australia in Durban in 2016, where David Miller and Phehlukwayo turned things around and won SA the match. Phehlukwayo scored an unbeaten 69 in that game, which is still his highest ODI score. 

In my opinion, Phehlukwayo is one of the most overlooked Proteas players, he’s so underrated. But the coaches and selectors have shown a lot of faith and patience with him, rightfully so!

“As a sportsman, we go through a few bad patches. I think that’s part and parcel of the game. But at the end of the day, that’s what makes you human that you can bounce back from those positions,” said Phehlukwayo.

“I think my huge driving force that I’ve had that’s helped me is my family, my mom, a few friends of mine and finding things that inspire you, that will make you grow mentally in terms of you understanding what your purpose is, what your goal is. 

“And those few things are really important because those are the things where you can fall back on when you’re really, really struggling and things aren’t going your way.”

Currently sitting at the number 11 spot in ICC’s ODI all-rounders rankings and at 64 in T20I rankings, Phehlukwayo aims to improve his game next season.

He is undoubtedly a regular in the shorter formats but not in the Test side yet, his last Test was two years ago against India. But Phehlukwayo is still in with a chance in the side because no one has cemented the seamer-all-rounder spot in the Test side.

“My goals and aspirations for the season coming – I want to be number one in the world, number one in the world as an all rounder,” he said.

“I want to just take my game to the next level, where I’m consistently winning games with bat or ball, even on the field I want to have match winning impacts.

“So those are the type of things that I want to really achieve next season. I’m motivated to do those things. I want to bowl quicker, I want to hit the ball cleaner. It’s just those small things that will really take my game to the next level.

“I think I’ve been doing them. But I think just consistently progressing in them is also something that I really want to do next season. [I want] to stay fit and play all the games and I just want to become the best in the world.” Phehlukwayo concluded.

The T20I World Cup which will be held Down Under in October hasn’t been postponed even though many sporting events, even the Olympic Games, have been postponed.

Should the tournament go as scheduled, Phehlukwayo will be very crucial for the Proteas in that campaign.