Cricket
Experienced Rassie van der Dussen Believes He Still Has a lot to Offer for the Proteas T20 and ODI Sides
Rassie van der Dussen discusses his desire to bring experience to the Proteas T20 and ODI squads, emphasizing the importance of South Africa's young talent and T20 leagues worldwide. His thoughts on the rising competitiveness of T20 leagues are catching the attention of fans, who are getting more involved in T20 cricket betting to support their favourite teams and players.
Image Credits:Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
Rassie van der Dussen has the experience, and while he has missed out on some international outings in the green and gold of South Africa over the last two years, he still feels he has a lot to offer in both formats.
The rebuilding phase
Van der Dussen has been one of the standout batters during a phase where a lot of youngsters have been making their way into the team and learning the international ropes.
South Africa has enjoyed a successful period over the last two years, having managed to reach the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup as well as the final of the T20 global showpiece earlier this year.
The 34-year-old was a key member of the ODI World Cup campaign, scoring an impressive 448 runs with two centuries from ten matches. He also boasts an overall ODI career average of 49.95, which also includes six centuries and 14 half tons in just 65 matches.
The Champions Trophy is around the corner, and Pakistan is set to host their first ICC event since their ban following the terror attack when they hosted Sri Lanka for a Test match in 2009.
Van der Dussen, who also represents the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (T20 league), believes his experience could still be useful in the tournament and beyond that, as he still wants to play a certain role in the T20 side as well.
“When it comes to big tournaments, experience is a vital part of it, but that is my opinion,” Van der Dussen commented when speaking to SportsBoom.com.
“I would like to think those things (stats) carry some weight, but hopefully I'm involved in that (Champions Trophy). I think I can add a lot of value in the 50-over format, but only time will tell.”
“Rob (Walter) and I haven't had too many conversations. To be honest, I think at this stage I would hope that I will be involved in the Champions Trophy that is happening after the SA20 next year.”
I still want to play T20 cricket. I still want to play for the Proteas. We haven't had too many conversations, but I know there are India and Pakistan white ball games later in the year.
Rassie van der Dussen
The positive impact of the SA20
“The SA20 has played a big role in the Proteas reaching the semis and the final of the T20 World Cups. Just playing with and against some of the big players in the world, you sort of get a taste of the skills of the best players in the world and how to come up against them in the field, so I think that has helped.”
“There are also some good young players coming through. Last year we had a couple of guys that played with each other for a while and they knew each other well, and in between that there were some really good young players in the T20 side.”
“It’s a mixture of youth and experience that has probably helped us in a long way, and I also think the next few years will be really exciting.”
The value of the T20 tournaments around the world
Fresh off a T20 Challenge triumph with the Lions, Van der Dussen’s return from ODI international duty was immediately noticeable as he helped them qualify for the final with a couple of important knocks, including an innings of 44 off 31 balls in the final against the Titans.
The Lions won their sixth domestic T20 title after beating the former champions by eight wickets, and the Lions middle order better praised the value of the different T20 leagues in helping him to continuously develop his game.
“The T20 leagues around the world develop you because you get to play in different conditions, and you get to find what works in conditions outside of South Africa.”
The lessons there can be applied back home; its important, and it has been very instrumental in my career as a T20 player to go out there and see what the standard is.
Rassie van der Dussen
“You get to know that if you are going to compete at a national or domestic level, the standards are set by some of the best players in the world, and you sort of realise what it takes to emulate that.”
South Africa is due to play India in a series of four T20 international matches from 8 November 2024, and Van der Dussen missed out on selection.
Obakeng - A passionate sports fan at heart that had a dream to be a professional soccer player or cricketer. He was introduced into the world of MotoGP and Formula One by Brad Binder's dominant moto3 championship win and he has not looked back. He is able to live through his passion for sport through writing, and he is a sport writer for the Independent Newspapers in South Africa.