NOTHING EMBARRASSING ABOUT LINDE'S DREAM PROTEAS COMEBACK

MI Cape Town allrounder George Linde may have missed the bus to Kingsmead for last night’s T20I against Pakistan, but he certainly did not miss a beat. 

Linde enjoyed a “dream comeback” after three years in the international wilderness. He was spectacular with the willow as the tall left-hander clubbed 48 off just 24 balls (3x4, 4x6), which included three maximums in the final over to lift the Proteas to 183/9.

His bowling performance was equally special as his left-arm spin saw him return figures of 4/21 to limit Pakistan to 172/8 and hand the Proteas’ victory by 11 runs. 

Linde almost capped a perfect evening with a hat-trick only for the television referral to overrule the on-field umpire’s decision. 

“It’s like a dream comeback,” Linde said. “I missed the bus coming to the ground today and I felt like I had to deliver for the team today and glad I did.

“Police escorted me to the bus, and they waited for me, it was a little embarrassing…”

Instead of the mishap flustering the 33-year-old, it had the reverse-effect as he almost became becalmed. It helped the natural juices to flow, especially with Linde having earned a recall to the Proteas side after a solid domestic season with Western Province across formats. 

Linde impressed with bat and ball against Pakistan on his return to the Proteas fold

“I just felt calm today for some reason,” Linde said. “I have played quite a lot of cricket, had a pretty good season so far. 

“I just try to stay calm at the crease and take a deep breath and always ask myself ‘What does the team need from myself?’ and I am just glad I delivered for the team.”

The Proteas’ innings was kept together by a belligerent 40-ball 82 from Paarl Royals skipper David Miller prior to Linde’s arrival at the crease. Despite the Proteas losing three wickets in the Powerplay, Miller delivered a sublime innings that was punctuated with perfect timing. 

His lofted drives high over extra cover was particularly exquisite. 

Pakistan’s chase was led by their skipper Babar Azam’s 62-ball 74, but the Proteas attack maintained their composure despite a late onslaught from the visitors. 

Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s Ottneil Baartman was economical on his return to the Proteas T20I side with figures 1/29, but it was Paarl Royals teenage sensation Kwena Maphaka that was most impressive. 

Maphaka, who is still only 18-years-old, built up a head of steam as he clocked speeds more than 150km/h. 

He also held his nerve to defend 19 runs in the final, wherein he picked up the big wicket of Rizwan, to finish with the impressive figures of 2/39.

The second T20I will be played at Centurion on Friday evening.