Exclusive: Paceman Gerald Coetzee feeling "strong and fit" in the ongoing T20I series against India

Proteas fast bowler Gerald Coetzee has revealed to SportsBoom that he feels strong, fit and in the best shape he has been in in a while following his return to international cricket from a 12-week-long conditioning break. 

RETURNING TO INTERNATIONAL CRICKET

The return of South Africa's two pacemen, Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen, in the first two matches of the ongoing four-match T20I series against India has been a breath of fresh air.

The 24-year-old fast bowlers have visibly looked stronger, fresher, and more technically refined upon their return to international cricket following their 12-week break from it since the 2024 T20 World Cup earlier this year. 

The lanky left-armer, Jansen, has returned sparkling figures of 1/24 and 1/24 in the first two T20I matches, while the right-arm quick Gerald Coetzee has 3/37 and 1/25 respectively. 

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom, Coetzee gave insight into the 12-week-long conditioning break. 

The 24-year-old went on to reveal that he feels physically in better shape than he did before injury forced him into the conditioning break in July. 

"Myself and Marco were given the conditioning break of about 12 weeks and it wasn't a do what you want," Coetzee told SportsBoom.

"We were under a program and had our weeks planned for us but luckily we had freedom around that. We had a well-planned program for those 12 weeks. 

"Physically, I feel very good and it's probably the best I've been in a while. I'm feeling strong, fit and hopefully, the body will stay strong for the summer and the foreseeable future." 

CONTINUING THE RICH CULTURE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FAST BOWLING

Perhaps the more exciting part of the two bowlers' return to international cricket has been the speeds that they have generated right from the first T20I at Kingsmead in Durban last week. 

The two have consistently clocked the mid 140s (kph), with Coetzee touching the 150 kph mark he is known for since making his international debut a few years back. 

The speed aspect, for many South Africans, a country known for producing some of the world's finest fast bowlers including Allan Donald, Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn to name a few, is the most exciting. 

"South Africa, traditionally, we've always been very proud and known for having really good fast bowlers. I think, to no surprise, our pool at the moment of experienced, settled and upcoming fast bowlers is very exciting," said Coetzee. 

"It should be something that people who love cricket in South Africa should be excited about. It looks very promising for now and the future." 

With the series level one-all, Coetzee and Jansen will take to the field today at Centurion as the Proteas clash with India in the third T20I at SuperSport Park in Pretoria.