Hendricks steps into deep end: "I'm no Dale Steyn"

Southampton - He is stepping into an absolute minefield, but Beuran Hendricks is still realising his dream by arriving at the Cricket World Cup to represent the Proteas. 

The circumstances are obviously far from ideal - Hendricks has been called up as a replacement for Dale Steyn, who is returning home with a shoulder injury - but the 28-year-old left-arm seamer is obviously excited to have arrived in England. 

With South Africa also likely to be without the injured Lungi Ngidi for Monday's clash against the West Indies, Hendricks looks set to come straight into the starting line-up. 

Steyn was set to leave England on Thursday morning, and Hendricks was going to have a chat to him on Wednesday night following South Africa's disappointing six-wicket loss to India at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. 

With just two ODIs to his name, Hendricks is obviously being thrown into the deep end. 

He looks a calm figure, though, and he is feeling good about his game right now. 

Still, he knows that replacing a player of Steyn's pedigree is a massive ask.

"When i got the call I didn't know who I was replacing and then I saw in the media that it was Dale, which is a massive blow," Hendricks said on Wednesday.

"I'm not going to say I can fill his shoes, because it's Dale, but I come here with my own set of skills and my own ambitions in this competition.

"For me, it's just about making sure that I can fight the good fight and contribute.

"My plan is to speak to him tonight. He is also going through what he is going through ... I just have to bide my time and wait for the right time to speak for im.

"I'm excited .... it is a dream come true. It's every kid's dream to play in a World Cup."

South Africa, 0 from 3 at the World Cup, need to turn things around urgently. They might have to win all of their six games to make the semi-finals, but Hendricks has arrived with a fresh optimism.

"The tournament is not over, so let's pick up from here and keep fighting," he said.

@LloydBurnard is in England covering the 2019 Cricket World Cup for Sport24 ...