Cricket
Exclusive: How Andile Simelane’s Maiden International Call-up Happened
Andile Simelane, at 21, shares his excitement over his Proteas call-up and readiness for the T20I series against India, as he joins South Africa’s top all-rounders.
Image Credits: Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
Proteas all-rounder, Andile Simelane, is motivated that at 21 years of age he finds himself among South Africa’s best T20 all-rounders as he is in the squad that is set take on India this week while senior all-rounders Andile Phehlukwayo and Wiaan Mulder were left out.
A DREAM CALL FROM ROB WALTER
Every cricket-playing kid dream of representing their country at the highest level from a very young age. That's just the nature of cricket and any other sport.
For many, that dream just never happens while for some it takes many years of playing domestic cricket before the call to represent the country finally comes.
For the 21-year-old all-rounder, Andile Simelane, the former South Africa under-19 all-rounder and teammate to Dewald Brevis, that call came two years after graduating from the under-19 level.
It came on the back of some impressive performances for his domestic team, the Dolphins, where the youngster displayed decent pace and control with the ball, the ability to hit big sixes, and the ability to strike at a healthy rate with the bat in hand.
The youngster received a call from Proteas limited-overs coach, Rob Walter, two months ago where he was informed that he would be part of the Proteas One Day International and T20I squads that would travel to the United Arab Emirates for a series against Afghanistan and Ireland.
In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom, Simelane opens up about how the call from Walter happened and how he felt about it when it happened.
I was at home. Firstly, he sent me a message telling me that he was going to give me a call. I was surprised. I was also asking myself what he wanted to say to me.
Andile Simelane
"Then when he told me that I was going to be part of the squad that was going to the United Arab Emirates I was surprised, and I didn't know how to express my feelings because I was alone at home at the time.”
"So, I didn't know what to do, should I call my mom, or should I tell my friend? But I was happy to get a call like that, I'm not going to lie.”
"Actually, he phoned me, and I didn't pick up the call at first because I was so scared but then the second call, I did answer it and the rest is history. It was unbelievable.”
"I ended up telling my mom and she thought I was joking at first because I always crack jokes at home. So, she thought I was joking, and I told her to switch on her TV and then she saw the news and she went crazy after that. She was happy for me because she's been around since I started playing.”
INDIA T20I SERIES
The youngster has also been included in the squad that is set to take on India in a four-match T20I series over the next two weeks, making this his second international call-up.
His selection also confirms that Walter recognises the potential of the youngster and that he is willing to leave out seasoned international players such as Andile Phehlukwayo and Wiaan Mulder to give Simelane all the exposure he needs to develop his skills.
Also, this call-up makes it clear that Simelane is well and truly among the country's best all-rounders in T20I cricket, a feat that the youngster is motivated by.
"This gives me motivation," said Simelane.
"I was with Wiaan and Phehlukwayo in the United Arab Emirates. Also, I grew up watching Andile Phehlukwayo at Kingsmead and when he was with us at the Dolphins I did work with him a lot. So, it gives me that motivation (that I'm among the best all-rounders in the country)."
The youngster could find himself making his international debut at his home ground on Friday as the first T20I between the Proteas and India is scheduled to take place at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.
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Ongama Gcwabe is an experienced Sports Journalist based in South Africa. In his career, Ongama’s work has been published in the country’s biggest newspapers company, Independe Newspapers, and some of the leading news and sports websites including IOL Sport.