Reeza Hendricks says he approaches each game as if it’s his last for South Africa, after he led the Proteas to a seven wicket win over Pakistan in the second T20 International (T20I) at SuperSport Park, in Centurion, on Friday.
Hendricks scored his maiden T20I century as he bludgeoned 117 from 63 balls with seven fours and 10 sixes, as he helped the hosts chase down the imposing 207 for victory set by Pakistan.
The win secured the series victory with a game to spare, with the third match taking place at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Saturday evening.
The knock was a timely score for Hendricks who had not passed the 50 mark in his last five T20I innings.
You just had to be there for the Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen spectacle 🤩🇿🇦#SAvPAK | #SummerOfCricket pic.twitter.com/sz71QdBOVp
Approach with confidence
“I think it's nice to score and contribute for the country, it's definitely not a sigh of relief,” said Hendricks.
“I'm trying to approach every game every series with a lot of pride and confidence, because you just don't know when it could be the last [game you play].”
In fact, Hendricks was not included in the upcoming One-Day International series against Pakistan. For that reason alone, it would have been especially significant to bring up just his second century for South Africa in limited overs formats.
“It's a privilege and an honour playing for the country and to reach a milestone - three figures in a T20 game - Probably something I would have dreamt about, but actually achieving it is another thing.
“So to achieve it tonight it was definitely an emotional moment. Very happy to have done it and achieved it, and to have my mom and dad watch me as well with my son in the crowd.
“So with everything happening, and with them being here, it's the moment where all my emotions came out.”
South Africa were also involved in a high-scoring match in Centurion recently, as India posted 219 in the third T20I of their series at the ground last month. The Proteas produced an admirable batting display on that occasion with Marco Jansen starring with 54 from 17 balls, but they came up 11 runs short in that match.
Producing a much more convincing batting display against Pakistan, was satisfying for the Proteas explained Hendricks.
“Centurion is generally a good wicket and it proved tonight again. So going into that break with them scoring 210 odd, we didn't feel that it's out of reach.
“It's a good chasing ground. The mindset was positive. The team was quite positive and confident to go out there and chase it.
“Going out to bat first over, [there were] five dot balls and eventually I got one away. It was a bit of a relief just to get going there, and once I got that ball away my nerves settled.
“I was a lot calmer then, and from there on just everything kind of clicked.”