Cape Town - Cape Cobras seamer, Beuran Hendricks, says his call-up into the Proteas T20 squad is a dream come true.
The 23-year-old is the newest addition to the Proteas' T20 fold ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh next month, and he was left speechless at his inclusion which was announced on Monday morning.
"It's a dream come true," a delighted Hendricks said.
"I have been dreaming of playing for the Proteas since I was nine years old, it's even more special because it's a World Cup year, I will cherish this forever."
Last week, Hendricks was bought by the Kings XI Punjab for the upcoming lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL), but says his call-up beats the IPL deal because it is something he has been striving for since the age of 18 when he made his first-class debut.
"It's even better than an IPL contact, I have been waiting for this ever since I started playing cricket," he laughed.
His rise on the South African domestic scene accelerated when he was selected for the South Africa A squad to take on Australia A and India A last year.
He credits Cricket South Africa's High Performance coach, Vincent Barnes, and Cape Cobras bowler, Charl Langeveldt, as the guiding forces in his young career.
"Last year was my first year in the South Africa A set-up, everything has happened so quickly over the last year and a half," the 23-year-old said.
"Vincent Barnes and Charl Langeveldt have always been there for me, working with them has been a great help towards my bowling," he remarked.
"They have always tried to make sure that I am constantly on top of my game, and have been there to help with any areas of my bowling that needed work."
Ultimately, it was his prolific form in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge that the selectors could not ignore. He finished as the leading wicket-taker with 28 scalps at an average of 10, and showcased impressive death-bowling skills, which he hopes he can take over into the Proteas set-up.
"Sometimes when I look back at the 28 wickets I got I ask myself how on earth I managed to get there," he said.
"I think it was important to keep it simple and to keep calm.
"I worked with Charl on my skills, adapting to pressure and sticking to the basics, that's what helped me.
"I really hope that I can implement it for the Proteas when given the opportunity."
The 23-year-old is the newest addition to the Proteas' T20 fold ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh next month, and he was left speechless at his inclusion which was announced on Monday morning.
"It's a dream come true," a delighted Hendricks said.
"I have been dreaming of playing for the Proteas since I was nine years old, it's even more special because it's a World Cup year, I will cherish this forever."
Last week, Hendricks was bought by the Kings XI Punjab for the upcoming lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL), but says his call-up beats the IPL deal because it is something he has been striving for since the age of 18 when he made his first-class debut.
"It's even better than an IPL contact, I have been waiting for this ever since I started playing cricket," he laughed.
His rise on the South African domestic scene accelerated when he was selected for the South Africa A squad to take on Australia A and India A last year.
He credits Cricket South Africa's High Performance coach, Vincent Barnes, and Cape Cobras bowler, Charl Langeveldt, as the guiding forces in his young career.
"Last year was my first year in the South Africa A set-up, everything has happened so quickly over the last year and a half," the 23-year-old said.
"Vincent Barnes and Charl Langeveldt have always been there for me, working with them has been a great help towards my bowling," he remarked.
"They have always tried to make sure that I am constantly on top of my game, and have been there to help with any areas of my bowling that needed work."
Ultimately, it was his prolific form in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge that the selectors could not ignore. He finished as the leading wicket-taker with 28 scalps at an average of 10, and showcased impressive death-bowling skills, which he hopes he can take over into the Proteas set-up.
"Sometimes when I look back at the 28 wickets I got I ask myself how on earth I managed to get there," he said.
"I think it was important to keep it simple and to keep calm.
"I worked with Charl on my skills, adapting to pressure and sticking to the basics, that's what helped me.
"I really hope that I can implement it for the Proteas when given the opportunity."