Having received a surprise call-up to South Africa’s World Cup squad, left-arm pacer Beuran Hendricks on Thursday (June 6) said that he can’t fill the injured Dale Steyn’s shoes but hopes to do his bit for the struggling Proteas side in the ongoing World Cup.
Steyn’s shoulder injury didn’t respond to the treatment and thus he was replaced by Hendricks in the South African squad on Tuesday (June 4).
“I am not going to say I can fill his shoes because it is Dale. I come here with my own set of skills and my own ambition in this competition. It’s just about making sure I can fight the good fight and contribute with the set of skills that I have,” he was quoted as saying by PTI after arriving in England.
Despite being in the list of standby players for the World Cup, the selection call-up came as a shock to Hendricks, especially when he realised the reputation of the man he was replacing.
“I was just on my couch, watching TV, when I got the call. I didn’t know who I was replacing but then I saw in the media that it was Dale, which is a massive blow,” he asserted.
Hendricks' ODI career has been limited so far, with just one wicket from two matches. But the left-armer has had more success in T20 Internationals where he has 16 wickets at an average of 18.93.
In the 2018-19 season, Hendricks was part of the triumphant Jozi Stars team in South Africa’s new T20 competition, the Mzansi Super League. He also helped the Lions claim South Africa’s franchise first-class and twenty-over cups and was a late call-up to the Mumbai Indians franchsie, who won this year’s IPL.
“I am hoping to be the good luck the team needs. It’s been a good year for me personally and for the teams I have been with this year so let’s hope I can make it five (trophies) out of five,” he said.
Meanwhile, South Africa are having a terrible time in the ongoing World Cup. Led by Faf du Plessis, the Proteas lost its first three matches against England, Bangladesh and India. They will face West Indies in their fourth match on June 10.
“I am excited to be here. We are three matches down so it’s probably sitting deep with the guys. I only just arrived this morning, so I am feeling the hurt as well but the tournament is not over,” Hendricks concluded.
