Cape Town - Dane Paterson had a long-standing wager with a close friend that if he was not selected for the Proteas in the next couple of years he would try his luck at rugby union.
The Cape Cobras fast bowler, who was a promising fullback at high school, can now safely put away those rugby boots after being called up to the Proteas T20 squad this week for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.
Paterson was among seven new caps announced by the national selection panel as the senior core of the Proteas unit take some well-deserved rest. After all the doom and gloom associated with the Kolpak exodus currently overwhelming South African cricket, it is though refreshing to hear the excitement in the voice of a new cap regardless whether it’s a full strength side or not.
“Hahaha …. Yeah those rugby boots can stay in the cupboard now,” Paterson told Independent Media from East London where he’s preparing with the Cobras to take on the Warriors in a Sunfoil Series clash this weekend.
“I got the phone call last Thursday. I must admit it was a bit of surprise because my T20 form was a bit hot and cold to be honest, but I was very excited to get the call from Mr Zondi. I was tossing and turning all night, couldn’t sleep afterwards because my roommate Aviwe (Mgijima) was going on all night too. He called Dane Piedt (Cobras captain) into the room too. Luckily we batted the next day otherwise there might have been a few problems.”
By self-admission Paterson did not enjoy the most fruitful of T20 campaigns as his form dipped along with that of a Cobras team that were struggling with major off-field issues. The selectors, though, would have looked further into the fact that the Northpine resident was only two seasons ago rated as the “Most Valuable Player” on the national domestic circuit after claiming 42 four-day wickets in the 2014/2015-season at an average of 22.54 and 13 wickets at 15.53 in the T20 Challenge.
It was during that season, and the following T20 campaign after another 12 scalps, that Paterson confirmed his status as one of the premier limited-overs bowlers in the country. The 27-year-old’s strength was not only his ability to take wickets upfront with the new ball during the powerplay overs, but his skills in keeping the runs to a minimum at the death through variation of pace, a good yorker and most importantly the mental ability to remain calm in the most intense situations at the backend of the innings.
A lot of that can be attributed to work done with current Proteas bowling coach Charl Langeveldt in a different guise and Paterson is champing at the bit to join up with his mentor at a higher level now.
"I am very excited to work with Langes again. He showed me so much in a very short period of time he was with us at the Cobras before leaving to join the Proteas. He was just such a skilful bowler in his day, but the key with any advice Langes gives you is to keep it simple and not worry too much about what has gone by. The next ball is always the most important that you must bowl.”
Paterson’s immediate challenge is still some red-ball action with the Cobras, starting today at Buffalo Park. After last weekend’s magnificent victory over the Highveld Lions in Oudtshoorn – the first of the Cobras’ Sunfoil Series campaign – there is certainly a renewed sense of energy and buzz in the Cobras dressingroom.
This is a largely due to the sweeping change in leadership too with Dane Piedt taking over from Omphile Ramela as captain and former Test batsman Ashwell Prince succeeding Paul Adams.
The Cobras will have to do without Oudtshoorn hero Wayne Parnell, who will be on Proteas Test duty at the Wanderers, and expectant father Omphile Ramela. Parnell’s absence will the most felt, which is why Paterson has to put the excitement of his national T20 call-up on the back-burner for now.
“It’s definitely back to business as usual. Last week’s victory was awesome and the boys are really looking to get our season back on track,”Paterson said. “We always knew were going to lose Parney, he’s just so good, but that means one of us must now step and shoulder the responsibility. It’s not different and I am the kind of get who just looks to getting the job done.”