Vincent Barnes, High Performance Manager of Cricket South Africa, used video clips to make sure Beuran Hendricks stayed on track to return to full fitness during the IPL.
Barnes monitored Hendricks’s weekly training sessions while he bowled in the nets for the Kings XI Punjab to helped ensure that Hendricks return form.
Barnes asked the 24-year old left-arm swing bowler of the Cape Cobras to update him every week about his bowling training sessions while playing in the IPL in April and May. Hendricks sent him video clips of his training sessions.
Hendricks had to send him clips of his bowling practices, so that Barnes could check whether he still maintained the same bowling action and did not endanger his own back through accidental bad habits.
In 2014, Hendricks spent a lengthy period on the substitute bench. He developed a stress fracture and required a lengthy rehabilitation period in the first part of the summer.
Barnes monitored Hendricks closely to prevent a repeat of the mishap of 2014.
Hendricks took five wickets in four matches for KXIP this season at an average of 21.80 and an economy rate of 8.38.
After the first match for KXIP, which was closely watched by Barnes, he notified Hendricks that he was falling away slightly and that his wrist position was not ideal.
‘He got better and better,’ Barnes said about Hendricks’ performances. He was also happy with Hendricks’ improved fitness levels and the way in which he generally sustained his own action in the IPL.
The high performance manager told Hendricks to improve his fitness levels after the left-arm bowler laboured through the South Africa A-series against the England Lions.
He needed to perform and bowl at pace for at least three bowling sessions per day. He usually started off well, but faded somewhat at the back-end of the day.
‘I wanted him to still run in and bowl at pace with the second new ball,’ said Barnes.
Hendricks might be selected for South Africa A’s matches against India A later in 2015.
