FEATURE: "AWESOME TO HAVE 'HASH' WITH ME THE WHOLE SUMMER," SAYS RICKELTON

Ryan Rickelton has long been touted as the future of the Proteas' batting unit.

The talented left-hander certainly lived up to the hype during Betway SA20 Season 2 when he finished as the competition’s leading run-scorer.

The MI Cape Town opener was in phenomenal form, where he became the first batter in the competition’s history to pass the 500-run mark, before following it up a further 441 runs for the Lions in the Cricket SA T20 Challenge.

It is certainly no coincidence that Rickelton had Proteas batting legend Hashim Amla in his corner at both MI Cape Town and the Lions for the entire summer as his batting coach.

“It's actually really nice to have Hash throughout the whole summer with both teams. Batting is a relationship-based thing. You can't just look at someone in the nets and throw your thoughts at them,” Rickelton said.

“It's a two-way street. You have to spend time with them together and see the good things you do behind closed doors and the bad things you do behind closed doors.

“So, to have Hash with me through the whole summer was really nice this summer. He helped me with my options and gave me a bit more clarity on my mindset and how I want to play.

“When things got heated or alright, he just reminded me to go back to the things I did when I was doing well. And that's where the relationship comes in because he spent the time with me, so he knows.

“Awesome to have someone consistently with me. I have chatted to him about a few things in the Caribbean and again he filters his information based on my strengths.”

Rickelton feels that Amla did not alter any technical aspects of his game, but rather gave him the belief to fulfil his potential.

“I worked on one or two shots. But it was a more mindset thing. I always knew I had the power and at least a good portion of the game,” he said.

“I think I unlocked a couple more things, but that mentality about just being free and not worried about getting out was the most important thing for me.”

Rickelton is currently with the Proteas at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup where he is experiencing his first major international tournament.

Although he is yet to have a hit out in the US and Caribbean, he is confident that his time to shine will eventually come.

“Going forward there is obviously going to be a lot of shifts in the group. We have a lot of older, experienced players, and (Proteas white-ball coach) Rob (Walter) has alluded there will be opportunities coming my way. I guess my goals will be to cement some sort of spot in this team,” he said.

It is likely that Walter sees Rickelton as Quinton de Kock’s long-term successor - the Durban’s Super Giants star is retiring from all international cricket after this tournament - both in front and behind the stumps.

Rickelton certainly enjoys the dual role of keeping and batting.

“I think keeping definitely has an effect on your game, as it helps you to read the conditions so much quicker and better,” he said.

“I am also the type of player that likes to be involved in the game. I think I have a good cricket brain and I like to share my thoughts with the guys.

“From the back of the stumps, you can obviously see things before they happen, which obviously keeps you in the game.

“So, in your subconscious, you are working out what works and what doesn't even before you go out to bat.”

The Proteas face the United States of America in the first Super Eight clash at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Wednesday.