At 29 years old, Patrick Kruger has got a taste of international cricket quite late in his career for the Proteas after a few key players were rested after the ICC T20 World Cup.
However, the big-hitting all-rounder is not ready to leave the seat at the table just yet, and wants to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Proteas’ next assignment in the United Arab Emirates.
South Africa take on Ireland in a three-match T20 International series, starting in Abu Dhabi on Friday with many rookies in the team, including Kruger who recently made his Proteas debut in the 3-0 series defeat against the West Indies in the Caribbean.
Kruger and Wiaan Mulder are the main all-rounders in the team while beanpole all-rounder Marco Jansen is working on his game back home.
Kruger had a good season in the SA20 for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, making meaningful contributions with the bat down the order and enjoying success with his medium pace. There were glimpses of that form against the West Indies, and now Kruger is looking to kick on against Ireland and hold on to hos place in the team.
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👏 Patrick Kruger #Betway #SA20 #WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/2YdnWSmqfQ
"It [competition] brings the best out of me. Knowing this 'guy' is coming for your spot or you have to work to obviously be, say the number one pick in the team as an all-rounder," said Kruger.
"I don't want to think about it as competition and stuff. I just want to give myself the best chance to get picked and perform at the end of the day.
"Good competition brings the best out of players if you know you are competing with guys in the squad. It brings the best out of me."
Kruger says the the SA20 has been great for the local South African players to play with international players and also test themselves against some of the best in the world.
According to Kruger, It’s also made the transition from domestic cricket to the international game a lot easier.
"The game moves and the intensity of international cricket ... [if I] came here not playing SA20, it would have been a bit tougher," said Kruger.
"I am more mature now and I know my game. I know my role better than before, so it's basically just trusting myself and backing my preparations."
Proteas T20 squad for Ireland series
Aiden Markram (captain, Titans), Ottneil Baartman (Dolphins), Matthew Breetzke (Warriors), Nandre Burger (Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (Lions), Reeza Hendricks (Lions), Patrick Kruger (Warriors), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Nqaba Peter (Lions), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), Andile Simelane (Dolphins), Jason Smith (Dolphins), Tristan Stubbs (Warriors) and Lizaad Williams (Titans).
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