WP Blitz and Durham batter David Bedingham has confirmed that nobody from Cricket South Africa (CSA) has made contact with him regarding his future in South African cricket and that he aims to qualify for England.
In December 2016, Bedingham was involved in a serious car accident. The result was a year away from the game that he loves, and there were times when he thought he would never play again.
His road to recovery was met with the pressure that he put on himself to find his feet again.
When he returned to professional cricket, Bedingham had a stellar season with Boland – scoring 790 runs and averaging 52.66.
A franchise contract with the Cape Cobras followed and he continued his good form with the bat, averaging 50.42 in 14 matches that included 3 hundreds and 4 fifties.
In his time with Durham in England, he has played 18 matches scored 1282 at an average of 51.28.
This season, in the 4-Day Series for WP Blitz, he has played 5 matches, scored 509 runs and has an average of 63.62.
It has been an excellent return for a player in South African domestic cricket and the fact that he hasn’t yet had an opportunity in a South Africa ‘A’ side has been questioned by some fans.
When asked if he was ever contacted by someone from CSA regarding his future, he replied:
“No-one has contacted me directly, I’ve never once expected to be called – that’s entirely their decision to select the players they want, but I’ve heard rumours that they called me and I turned them down and that’s completely false,” said Bedingham exclusively to Cricket Fanatics Magazine.
Proteas convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang has also confirmed that he was planning to have a chat to Bedingham in Gqeberha where the CSA T20 competition will be held from 7 February.
Bedingham, however, will be off to England to join up with Durham where he has signed a 3-year deal.
“Durham asked me to return and train with the squad and get ready for the upcoming season, WP agreed to let me leave at the end of Jan before the T20 competition,” continued Bedingham.
“They have terminated my contract but it ended on very good terms, with no drama…I can’t thank the coaching staff and CEO enough for the season, I really enjoyed it.
“The deal with Durham is until the end of the 2024 season, I love playing for Durham – great people, great club and lovely place to live.
“To my understanding, I qualify at the end of 2024, but immigration laws change all the time so you never know.”
When asked whether he feels he is ready for the international step up and whether he still wants to play for South Africa, Bedingham responded:
“I don’t know I’ve never experienced that sort of pressure on the cricket field so I can’t tell you until I have experienced it.
“But I feel I’ve worked really hard on my technique and have been hitting the ball well so hopefully when or if that opportunity presents itself, I’ll be able to score hundreds at that level.”
Bedingham will fly out on Tuesday where the process of qualifying for England will begin.
Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
