In an era where every cricketer wants to be the next AB de Villiers and the likes thereof, Lance Klusener called for uniqueness in youngsters during episode 17 of the On Lockdown Series.
Naturally, youngsters will be drawn to how the best in the world play the game. It would be foolish to suggest that kids shouldn’t look up to your AB’s of this world because at the end of the day that’s how all of us Cricket Fanatics fell in love with the game.
In an exclusive interview with Cricket Fanatics Magazine Lance Klusener emphasized the importance of learning from the greats but curving your own path and style of play,
“I always say, instead of being like somebody else, be yourself. Take a little bit from Lance Klusener, take a bit from Shawn Pollock, take a bit from Jacques Kallis and work that into who you are. And you can become an even better cricketer than I was for example.”
Lance Klusener had a short stint with the Proteas squad during their T20I series against India in September 2019.
What most of us were excited to see with his inclusion in that tour was the impact he was going to have on the likes of Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo who are also all-rounders.
With Phehlukwayo being a KZN boy, playing for the Dolphins, a right-arm seamer and a lefty with bat in hand, it’s natural to see a bit of Klusener in him.
“I took him out of Glenwood at the age 16,” Klusener recalled.
“Had to sit with his mom and convince her that we needed to take him to India in a championship outing with us. I go back a long way with Andile, he’s a special talent.”
Read: Andile Phehlukwayo – “I want to be No.1 all-rounder in the world”
More often than not, Andile faces a lot of criticism from the fans and the media for his batting performances.
Having worked with Andile for such a long time, Klusener thinks it might have a lot to do with Andile not being himself.
“His batting needs a litttle bit of work and he’s one of those guys that really needs to be themselves,” suggested Klusener.
“You’re not Pollard, you’re not Andre Russell, you’re not AB de Villiers, you’re Andile Phehlukwayo from the south coast of KZN. Take a little bit from everybody and be your own guy. He’s a phenomenal talent.”
In our recent exclusive interview with Andile, he also acknowledged the impact Klusener had on his career.
“I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to be coached by one of the greatest all-rounders I think to ever live,” said Phehlukwayo exclusively to Cricket Fanatics Magazine.
For a full-interview with Lance Klusener, click on the link below.
