Former Proteas batsman Farhaan Behardien has recalled reacting poorly to criticism received at the start of a six-year international career.

Behardien played 59 ODIs and 38 T20Is between 2012 and 2018. He averaged 30.68 in the former and 32.37 for the latter.

‘I dealt with criticism poorly in the beginning. How I learned to deal with it was, I knew when I did badly, especially on the international stage,’ he was quoted by IOL.

‘I worked my arse off to correct it, and I didn’t need anyone else telling me or to read it. Reading anything that got me down, when I was in the limelight, wasn’t worth it and once I let go of that, I enjoyed myself a little bit more.

‘I’ve copped a lot of abuse, batting in the middle order trying to win games, trying to save games, if you don’t come off it’s a tough place to be. If you win it’s great, if you lose – the scales are so big.’

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Whether the 36-year-old returns to South African cricket after signing a two-year Kolpak contract with Durham in English county competition remains in the balance.

‘I would love to stay in the game, I feel I have a lot to offer. I’ve had 14 years, and in that time I’ve failed a lot as well – you can’t always be successful. Maybe I play for a different team, or I could coach or be involved in some capacity,’ he added.

‘I think I still have a lot to offer. I’m still fit and strong, I think I can match the younger guys from a physical standpoint. Who knows what will happen?’

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