ALL week building up to the start of the three-match T20I series between South Africa and the West Indies, the Proteas management has been adamant that they want to continue to push the envelope, create competition for spots in the T20I squad by widening the talent pool, and awarding deserving players opportunities to stake a claim within the team.
The management of the team and captain Aiden Markram have drilled their message into the young players’ minds to use the ongoing series to make a lasting impression.
In an exclusive interview with Independent Newspapers, as one of the young players in the team, batter Donovan Ferreira emphasised his hunger to break into the main team playing the finisher’s role with bat in hand.
“Us players coming in have to push the main players to be better and if we’re pushing for spots in the team then that just allows the whole squad to grow and form a healthy, competitive environment,” he said.
“The chats we’ve had have been about performance, bettering ourselves, being hungry to perform all the time, and that creates a competitive environment which is needed on the international stage to perform,” he added.
As a specialist No 6 batter in the order, Ferreira has proven in the T20 leagues that he is one for the future.
In his young international T20 career, the right-hander has shown glimpses of what he can do when given a chance, with his sizzling 21-ball 48 on debut against a strong Australian bowling attack being the highlight of his career thus far.
However, the 26-year-old has a deep desire to be more than just a finisher in the team.
His off-spin bowling and wicket-keeping abilities have also shone brightly on the T20 circuit, making him one of the most versatile youngsters in South Africa alongside Tristan Stubbs.
“I just try to be as diverse as possible,” he said.
“Obviously, my role will be predominantly to bat, but I’m preparing for any opportunity that presents itself. The main focus for me will be to finish off games and play that finisher role at number six.
“It is a tough role being a finisher because there are so many diverse situations that you can get into. But that’s the exciting part in that that role is never the same. I will be focusing on finishing and being consistently good at that role.
“With that being said, I’ll keep topping up my bowling and whatever skill the team might need. I think on these Caribbean wickets I could bowl an over or two if the skipper needs me to,” he added.
As the team build towards the second T20I at the Brian Lara Stadium tomorrow, Ferreira said that limited-overs coach Rob Walter continues to demand the highest standards from them as youngsters.
After all, it is such demands and expectations that propelled the Proteas to reach their first World Cup final six weeks ago.
“The coach demands high standards of us, which I feel is why they went close to winning the World Cup, losing in the final,” said Ferreira.
“The vibe is really good in the camp. There’s a quiet confidence that is oozing in the camp,” he added.
The second T20I will get underway at 9pm SA time tomorrow in Trinidad and Tobago.