Knights’ in-form batter Dian Forrester believes being overlooked for Betway SA20 Season 3 has proved to be a blessing in disguise.
The 24-year-old allrounder was highly touted to be picked up by one of the six teams at last year’s auction but was eventually overlooked.
“Yeah, of course, you would be disappointed not to get picked up. I think everyone's seen how amazing SA20 looks and what it's to be a part of,” Forrester exclusively told Independent Media.
“It's a month-and-a-half of cricket where you touch shoulders with the best players in the world. We can just learn from them.
“So, obviously, I was very disappointed, but I think it worked out for the best. This month-and-a-half gave me the platform just to really improve my game and really just take a break from everything and just look from an outside point of view.
There are often two ways to approach such disappointment. Either sulk around or get back up and put in some extra work.
And that’s exactly what Forrester did. The left-hander worked tirelessly behind the scenes while the majority of the country’s players were hogging the spotlight at SA20.
Equally, after playing in a couple of warm-up matches for a Cricket SA Invitational XI against the Paarl Royals and Joburg Super Kings, he went in search of some sage advice from an old friend.
“So, when I was playing there (for the CSA Invitational XI), it just made me realise I needed to be sharp with my thinking. So, I spoke to a few guys there, and I spoke to (JSK Super Kings batter) Leus du Plooy, who I know from school and stuff.
“From there I just went back and changed a few things. I just worked a bit on being smart in training, not just hitting balls for the sake of it.
“And just being more specific, like, 'OK, where are my weaknesses?' How am I going to improve that instead of shying away from it?
“So, instead I put up an honest reflection with myself and said, ‘OK, you need to improve on this’. I improved on my swing, and I just want to improve on my feet movement.
“So, those were the two key areas that I really bogged myself into my game and said, OK, I need to do something.”
Forrester’s transformation since has been nothing short of sensational. Having struggled at the start of the season in the four-day competition, he is now the leading run-scorer in the CSA 1-Day competition with 257 runs in three innings.
This includes two consecutive unbeaten centuries against the Warriors (123 not out) and Western Province (113 not out).
This sensational run of form has also benefited the Knights with the central franchise, who are in danger of being relegated to Division 2, moving up to the fourth place on the table - just one point behind third-place Lions.
“I think we are in the relegation battle at the moment,” he said. “Obviously, it is tough on the team.
“But, yeah, we're just looking forward to the next game because when we play to our abilities we will definitely stay up
“I truly believe our team is good enough to go all the way and have a chance of winning this 1-Day Cup.
“So, yeah, the relegation will always be there, but if our team plays to what we can achieve, that won't be a problem for us.”
The Knights face the top-of-table unbeaten Boland Rocks in a crucial encounter on Wednesday in Bloemfontein.