“Coming back here and driving through the Newlands gates just gives you that rejuvenation and energy, back where it all started, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead,” says Dane Paterson.
Those words were expressed by fast bowler Dane Paterson as he looks forward to the upcoming domestic season with Six Gun Grill Western Province.
The 33-year-old has returned to play cricket in Cape Town after enjoying two outstanding seasons with English side Nottinghamshire.
The South African seamer is a firm favourite with the members at Trent Bridge, having taken 70 wickets across all formats in 2021 before doing even better this year, bagging 75 scalps.
He was named Nottinghamshire’s County Championship Player of the Season recently and those exploits have earned him a new two-year deal with the English side.
Asked what has contributed to his success in England, Paterson emphasised that he now enjoys bowling in pressure situations, especially with the extra responsibility of being the overseas professional.
Speaking to reporters at Newlands, he said: “Just keeping things simple and staying calm in pressure situations.
“Not beating myself up when things are not going my way has helped me be successful over my two years in England.”
It is that sort of experience and pace-bowling skills that Western Province head coach Salieg Nackerdien will bank on when the domestic T20 Challenge gets underway at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom from Monday.
Paterson, who has played two Tests, four ODIs and eight T20Is for the Proteas, says his role coming back to Western Province will include helping to guide the younger fast bowlers in the squad.
The WP bowling attack for the tournament includes another seasoned campaigner in left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks while former Proteas paceman Rory Kleinveldt will serve as the team’s assistant coach.
Paterson told Cricket Fanatics Magazine: “The youngsters are lucky to have a bowling coach like Rory at Western Province, the positivity of his coaching and just going through different game scenarios has been brilliant.
“The game is constantly evolving and as a fast bowler you just need to keep up-skilling yourself.
“I’m also at that stage in my career, where I can lend a helping hand, not just to the fast bowlers but also the young batters just help pick them up if they think they are having a bad day.
“Together with Rory we also have experienced campaigners at Western Province like Beuran and Parny (Wayne Parnell) to help the youngsters, so we have a nice crop of senior players.”
Photo: Shaun Roy/Sports Inc
