Batsman Michael Levitt was not named in the Netherlands’ squad for last year’s Cricket World Cup, but has been included for next month’s T20 World Cup.
Levitt played for the Netherlands in this month’s T20I tri-series against Ireland and Scotland.
Earlier this year, he was with Western Province Cricket Club in the Western Province Cricket Association premier league.
“I was naturally disappointed to miss out on the Cricket World Cup in India, but I wanted my time to come when it was right and I wanted me to be ready,” Levitt told Dutch News.
“That little period, while the guys were at the World Cup, gave me some time to look at myself, fine-tune skills and where I thought I needed to upgrade to be at that level.
“When the opportunity came, I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself knowing that I had done the work to get myself in that position. I just wanted to try and take it with both hands.
“If I go back six months, I was probably a little bit arrogant and hotheaded. And I think working with guys like Gary Kirsten, who helped us back in Cape Town, Netherlands head coach Ryan Cook and our senior players, helps you mature.
“Once you hit that sense of maturity, you can kind of get through quite a lot compared to when I was a little bit younger and hotheaded.”
Levitt hit 54 on T20I debut against Nepal earlier this year. A day later, he recorded a maiden T20I century – 135 against Namibia. His innings featured 11 fours and 10 sixes.
“It was a funny innings – that 135 against Namibia. It was probably one of my slowest starts. I was just waiting for an opportunity to get a couple balls away to find the rhythm,” he added.
“I had very clear plans. Fortunately, a couple came off the middle of the bat and I rode the wave for as long as I could.”