Proteas and Lions fast, bowler, Beuran Hendricks, reviewed his performances from last season and insists that he has learnt what is required from him in Test cricket.
The two-time 4-Day franchise champion had another exciting season in both domestic and international scenes.
Hendricks, managed 13 wickets in the 4-Day series at an average of just under 24 as the Lions were crowned champions for the second consecutive season.
“I feel that at franchise level I had a pretty decent season and that warranted my selection into the international season. And once I got to an international level, I felt that I started off pretty decently with my performances. But as the season went on, I felt that my performance dipped and that’s not really the standard I set for myself,” said Hendricks.
“So assessing that. I know now, the intensities I need to be at and the level I need to be at to make sure that my performances are very consistent.”
An end of an era for big names in South African cricket saw quite a few new faces across all formats for the Proteas.
Beuran Hendricks was among those new faces in the Test side that played against England last summer. The left-arm fast bowler introduced himself with a crucial second innings five-for during the fourth Test against England at the bullring.
“Making my test debut against England last summer was pretty special. A lot of learning from that stint and that Test match, where I felt that, at that level, you are not allowed to drop your intensity at any moment during the game,” Hendricks continued.
“You are up against your opposition for five days without them giving you any opportunity. And I felt I reviewed that quite well. I managed my learnings quite well.
“During that Test match during the first innings, I was put under pressure, I was put on the back foot and I felt that during the second innings, I kicked it up a notch. I kicked up my intensity and was able to bring it back a little bit.
“So there was a lot of learning from that game and I do feel that now I understand the level of Test cricket and moving forward that is the level I will be at.”
87 FC games later, the 29-year-old is now a Test cricketer and earned a national contract for the first time in his career.
“Earning my first Proteas contract is a special and proud moment for me. It does show that your hard work in the franchise system and at international level does pay off,” Hendricks revealed.
“I feel that it does now settle a lot of nerves and makes me feel a part of the Proteas family, part of the team. And I can now just focus on what I need to do to make sure that we are staying one of the best in the world.”
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
