Batsman Reeza Hendricks was excluded from South Africa’s squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
Hendricks was included in the Proteas’ squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup, but did not play a match.
He has been named in the squad for this year’s T20 World Cup. Whether he will be included in a matchday XI, though, remains in the balance.
“2019 was a massive disappointment. I learnt a lot from that – to make peace with what happens, to not expect things, have an open mindset, take things in my stride and just be okay with whatever happens,” the Sunday Times quoted Hendricks as saying.
“That is the mindset I’ve had since that disappointment. Whether I’ve been selected or not, to not put too much pressure on myself, to go out there and enjoy it. A lot of good things have happened from having that mindset. A lot of lessons were learnt from that situation.”
The 34-year-old Hendricks recently won the T20 Challenge title with the Lions after hitting 73 not out in the final against the Dolphins.
Earlier this year, he played for the Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League – and represented the Joburg Super Kings in the SA20.
“The way things have gone in the last while, I’ve just taken things in my stride and whatever happens at the T20 World Cup, starting or not starting, I’ll just take it as it comes and go out there and try to do my best,” he added.
“I don’t know if my best years are now, or maybe back then when I wasn’t playing. Maybe I’m still getting to my best, I don’t think I’ll ever really know. I feel I have a lot more to offer.”
MORE latest SA cricket news
- Wiaan Mulder, Matthew Breetzke and more – 5 Proteas discarded for T20 World Cup
- Rob Walter on Anrich Nortje selection: We need to trust the quality of the players
- Rob Walter on ‘demographics, representation’: System needs to up the ante
- Rob Walter on Temba Bavuma, Rassie van Dussen exclusions
- Proteas pick Nqaba Peter for West Indies tour