AB de Villiers, a star of South African cricket, believes that the SA20 league can raise the game of young South Africans like Jordan Hermann, much like the IPL did for him.
When he participated in the inaugural IPL, De Villiers was 24 years old and still finding his footing at the international level. He went from being a precocious talent to a global sensation after sharing the locker room with some of the sport’s finest players.
During his maiden stint as a television analyst for SuperSport at the SA20, De Villiers is witnessing firsthand the abundance of young South African cricket talent. And he feels that the exposure to world-renowned players and coaches will help them advance to the next level.
De Villiers stated that it is tough to express the benefits of young people spending time with some of the top players and coaches in the world.
“I experienced this experience on my very first IPL in 2008. I shared a locker room with Glenn McGrath, Dan Vettori, Shoaib Malik, and Viru Sehwag, among others.
“The effect on my performance was enormous. Since 2008, you’ve witnessed my game improve, and I’ve since taken it to the next level. Spending time with seasoned campaigners from different nations was a major factor.”
De Villiers has maintained a careful eye on MI Cape Town prodigy Dewald Brevis, but he has also identified Sunrisers Eastern Cape opener Hermann as a guy to keep an eye on. The 21-year-old was a late addition to the Sunrisers’ roster after being added as a replacement player.
“Among the batters, the first name that comes to mind is Jordan Hermann. Honestly, I had never heard of him before the competition,” De Villiers remarked. “I once heard his name, and after observing him bat, I was quite pleased. I’d enjoy working with these batters. I have a great deal of passion for that. You need to develop as a player. If you do not progress, you will not enjoy the game.
“I believe that constant checks are necessary. This is what kept me energized. I aspired to raise the bar with each passing season till the very end.” – SACricketmag.
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