Three weeks ago, the Warriors seamer lost his mother Cathirin to a heart attack, he missed his franchise’s opening game of the four-day campaign a week later while self-isolating for 10 days – having come into contact with a Covid-19-positive team-mate. And, last Friday, he was named in the Proteas squad to play ODI and T20 cricket against England later this month.
That’s why, when the 28-year-old finally gets to represent his country, it will be with as much pride as it will be with a heavy heart: “It’s been an up and down month for me, my mother passed away and now I’ve got this call-up. Obviously, I’m disappointed she’s not here to see it, but I know she would have been extremely proud. From now on, I’ll dedicate every wicket to her and play for her, knowing that she’s still watching me from above.”
