SUNRISERS' SIMELANE SET TO SHINE FOR PROTEAS

Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s Andile Simelane meteoric rise within South African cricket has gone into overdrive after the young all-rounder was called up to the Proteas ODI and T20I squads to face Afghanistan and Ireland respectively later this month in the UAE.

Simelane, 21, was originally drafted as a Rookie by Sunrisers in Season 2. And despite not getting the opportunity to show off his undoubted natural talent on the park, the coaching staff had seen enough behind the scenes to incorporate him into their squad for the Season 3.

The former Mpumelelo Primary School and Maritzburg College learner, who only started playing cricket due to the free chicken being handed out at the KFC Mini-Cricket festivals, has now graduated to the next level by becoming the latest Betway SA20 youngster to receive a maiden Proteas call-up.

He joins a growing list of new caps that contains Dewald Brevis (MICT), Donovan Ferreira (JSK), Jason Smith (DSG), Patrick Kruger (SEC), Ottneil Baartman (SEC), Matthew Breetzke (DSG), Nandre Burger (JSK), Nqaba Peter (Paarl Royals), Kwena Maphaka (Paarl Royals) since the inception of Betway SA20.

Simelane has certainly grown in leaps and bounds since last season’s SA20, undoubtedly having benefited from being exposed to the high-quality Sunrisers coaching staff and professional environment led by double-championship winning head coach Adi Birrell and supported by bowling coach Dale Steyn, assistant coach Baakier Abrahams and batting coach Russell Domingo.

It was clearly evident in the recent outings for the SA Emerging XI where Simelane struck his maiden List A century in Zimbabwe.

Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter was certainly impressed by the performance along with Simelane’s recent outings for the South Africa ‘A’ side against their Sri Lankan counterparts.

"We are doing our best to identify series where we can take what I call high-potential players along to expose them to international cricket, to the Proteas environment, and the requirements of international cricket,” Walter said.

"In terms of watching him, I was with the SA ‘A’ side against Sri Lanka and saw him play there. I really enjoy his skill-set as a young cricketer. He hasn’t played a huge amount, but it’s about recognising high potential talent and providing him with an avenue to grow."

South Africa ODI squad against Afghanistan

Temba Bavuma (capt), Ottneil Baartman (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Nandre Burger (Joburg Super Kings), Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin (Paarl Royals), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Wiaan Mulder (Durban’s Super Giants), Lungi Ngidi (Paarl Royals), Andile Phehlukwayo (Paarl Royals), Nqaba Peter (Paarl Royals), Andile Simelane (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Jason Smith (Durban’s Super Giants), Tristan Stubbs (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Kyle Verreynne (Pretoria Capitals), Lizaad Williams (Joburg Super Kings)

South Africa T20I squad against Ireland

Aiden Markram (capt Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Ottneil Baartman (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Matthew Breetzke (Durban’s Super Giants), Nandre Burger (Joburg Super Kings), Bjorn Fortuin (Paarl Royals), Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi (Paarl Royals), Nqaba Peter (Paarl Royals), Ryan Rickelton (MI Cape Town), Andile Simelane (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Lizaad Williams (Joburg Super Kings)

South Africa ODI squad against Ireland

Temba Bavuma (capt), Ottneil Baartman (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Nandre Burger (Joburg Super Kings), Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin (Paarl Royals), Wiaan Mulder (Durban’s Super Giants), Lungi Ngidi (Paarl Royals), Andile Phehlukwayo (Paarl Royals), Nqaba Peter (Paarl Royals), Ryan Rickelton (MI Cape Town), Jason Smith (Durban’s Super Giants), Tristan Stubbs (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Rassie van der Dussen (MI Cape Town), Kyle Verreynne (Pretoria Capitals), Lizaad Williams (Joburg Super Kings).