Kevin Pietersen believes that the summer of 2022/23 has been a boon for South African cricket.
The Betway SA20 League and the Proteas’ performance in their three-match series against England have impressed Pietersen.
The former England captain believes the positive response to the SA20 has revitalized the sport.
“[The Proteas] rode the wave created by the SA20,” wrote Pietersen for Betway.
“They have maintained a positive attitude, and now they must perform well against the Netherlands to ensure their presence in India later in the year.
There were moments in both of the first two matches where the outcome could have gone either way, but the final score of 2-1 was a fair picture of the series.
“It’s great to see that something has occurred in the country in the past few weeks.
What must occur for the Proteas to qualify for the Cricket World Cup?
“The crowds have returned, and individuals are coming out to see positive cricket. It’s great for the players, broadcasters, and administration to see the grass banks filled with excited fans. With World Cup qualification on the line, South Africa’s performance in the One-Day International series was outstanding.
In terms of morale and professionalism, Pietersen regarded the England locker room as being incomparable to the environment he was accustomed to.
“Jos Buttler sent me a message last week asking if I would be interested in speaking with the England squad before the ODI series.
I accompanied them to discuss whatever they desired, to observe the environment, and to gain a deeper understanding of it for my own goals.
“It was quite casual, consisting of a couple chats with a few individuals concerning hitting, as well as an opportunity to simply be around the boys in case they desired to speak with an outsider about anything.
TRANSFORMING THE GAME
“It was fantastic to gain an outsider’s perspective on the culture and how they’ve transformed the shortest form of the game,” remarked Pietersen.
“What jumped out to me most is how supportive everyone is of one another. This was a foreign concept when I was involved, when everyone did what they wanted for themselves. It is so revitalizing.
“There were a few players under pressure, most notably Jason Roy, but each member of the squad and the entire organization gave him real encouragement.
Additionally, Quinton de Kock praises a breath of fresh air
“The camaraderie in the camp is amazing to behold, and it aids their performance tremendously because they have no fear of failure. If someone is experiencing a rough patch, they have all the love, support, and time they need to turn things around.
“I adored it, and it helped me comprehend how they’ve become a feared team.
“I told Jos and Matthew Mott that if they want me around the team in the future, I will be present. If it occurs again, it will occur again. All good by me.
It is a pleasant place to be in, and I would gladly assist again if asked.
»Kevin Pietersen feels South Africa is once again in love with cricket«