Dane Piedt will join the SWD squad to play in the Africa Cup T20 this weekend.
After his horrendous injury during the Champions League T20 in 2014 Piedt is excited to be back in T20 action as his side faces Northern Cape and Northerns this weekend.
‘It’s really going to be something,’ he said. ‘The last time I played T20s was against the Hobart Hurricanes in Delhi. That’s way back. I got injured over there and I never thought I would play the game again, and then when I came back the Cobras had Sunil Narine, Robbie P [Peterson] and George Linde in their T20 squad, so it really has been a while,’ Piedt said.
‘But I am looking forward to it in a big way. I am really excited about seeing where my skill level is at. I’ve obviously played lots of red-ball cricket in the interim, played Test cricket against some big players and big teams, and of course you learn from those experiences. I know it’s a different format, but you’re learning all the time in a high-pressure environment and it would great to put those lessons into practice.’
It goes without saying that Piedt will definitely add a substantial experience to the SWD team. During last season’s Africa T20 Cup, they had a major advantage by having Proteas seamer Vernon Philander in their squad and Piedt is looking to make a similar impact.
‘I think I’m quite an approachable guy and I’m hoping that I’ll be able to have some good discussions with the boys. The SWD union is part of the Cobras franchise and we could be possibly playing with them a lot this season. So, I want to get to know the guys and also hopefully show them how we go about our business so when they join up with us it’s an easy transition.
‘I played a lot of my cricket as the ‘junior’ in the team. The youngest guy, always soaking up the advice, from the more senior players. That has been very helpful to my career and if I can just leave a little bit of my experience with the guys then I’ve hopefully helped someone else with his career,’ Piedt explained.
The Proteas spinner looks to form a good understanding and relationship with his captain Gurshwin Rabie who has much experience at the age of 33.
‘I know Gurshie quite well and it will be cool to hook up again with him after such a long time. When I began my first-class career at Western Province we played together in the WP semi-pro team.
‘In terms of setting fields, I think I have an understanding of my own game and obviously Gurshie and I’ll chat about a few things in the build-up and team meetings. Dane Vilas will also be behind the stumps and we play a lot of cricket together at the Cobras and he’s also got a fair idea of what I try to do, especially in terms of the attacking lines I try to bowl regardless of the format,’ he concluded.
Piedt has played 33 T20 matches and taken 21 wickets with an average of 34,14.
