PHEHLUKWAYO THE WILD CARD IN PAARL ROYALS’ PACK

Andile Phehlukwayo is hoping to bring the spirit of former England all-rounder Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff to the Paarl Royals in the upcoming Betway SA20. 

Flintoff was one the most charismatic players on the international circuit from his debut in 1998 until retirement in 2009. 

The Lancastrian’s crowning moment of glory was, of course, the 2005 Ashes series against Australia, where he played a pivotal role with both bat and ball to bring home the famous urn to England for the first time since 1989. 

Equally, Flintoff shared some royal battles with the Proteas, most notably in the third Test of the 2008 series at Edgbaston where he went head-to-head with South African legend Jacques Kallis.

Phehlukwayo, 26, was just 12-years-old at the time, but was mesmerised with Flintoff’s ability to raise his game in the pressure moments for his country. 

It left a lasting impression on the Proteas all-rounder. 

“I loved the way he carried himself, played the game with aggression with bat and ball,” Phehlukwayo said. 

“He was someone who competed, especially in tough times for the team.”

Phehlukwayo is an experienced international having played four Tests, 74 ODIs, and 38 T20I’s for the Proteas. 

He was a surprise omission at the inaugural auction in Cape Town last year, but the Boland Park-based team did not waste a second opportunity to draft him into their squad when the wild card option was implemented. 

Phehlukwayo will certainly be pushing hard for a place in the Royals’ starting XI when they face neighbours MI Cape Town in the much-anticipated Betway SA20 tournament opener at Newlands on Tuesday January 10. 

He is excited at the prospect of playing in the inaugural Betway SA20 due to the impact the tournament may have on the overall game in South Africa. 

“The SA20 will have a huge impact on South African cricket. We’ve been needing such a tournament to come and invest in South African cricket,” he said.

“It is obviously going to help individuals, outside of financially, but just in terms of exposure worldwide.”