South African fast bowler Lutho Sipamla has proudly acknowledged the benefit of playing alongside former national captain AB de Villiers during the 2018 Mzansi Super League.

Sipamla and de Villiers were Tshwane Spartans teammates during late last year’s inaugural competition. The former is currently playing a maiden T20I series for the Proteas, while the latter recently left the Bangladesh Premier League for participation in the Pakistan Super League.

‘I gained a lot of experience playing with AB,’ said Sipamla.

‘Sharing the dressing room‚ training and playing with him was life-changing for me, because he kept me calm.

‘His presence calms you because he speaks to you and gives you plans.

‘I learned a lot from that experience because at times he allowed me to set the field myself, according to what I wanted to help my bowling.’

The 20-year-old right-armer failed to take a wicket on debut during last week’s second T20I against Pakistan at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. If afforded the opportunity in the final T20I at SuperSport Park in Centurion, he’d understandably like to welcome a maiden wicket at international level.

‘I would like to take a wicket every time I bowl, but they will come by doing the right things over and over again,’ added Sipamla.

‘It is a process that will come with time‚ but I am looking forward to the moment of taking that first wicket for the Proteas if I get to play in the next game. It will definitely be surreal to get my first wicket, and a personal milestone.

‘But hopefully it will help the team to win because at the end of the day it is about the team and not individuals. I have not been thinking too much about the future, because my mind at the moment is on the now.

‘I want to stay here because the environment is good and I want to play for my country as long as possible.’

Photo: Gallo