Exclusive: Proteas Test Bowler Dane Piedt Enjoying Second Lease of Life in South Africa

Dane Piedt, recently returned from the United States where he was playing in the new cricket league structure in North Carolina. A call from Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad would change his plans to qualify for the USA side. Since returning, he has played for his local franchise the Knights and featured regularly in the Proteas setup under the guidance of Shukri Conrad.

The US Life

"The US is completely different with an environment that has different cultures, in the sense there are nationals from Bangladesh and India. I would say my T20 game also developed as you learn different varieties of play. The United States is very special to me, my son was born there. I learnt a lot about myself, my character and the way I carry myself,” Piedt told SportsBoom.com. 

Reasons for leaving South Africa

At the time prior to his departure, there were up and coming spinners in the likes of Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi. He never thought he would play again for the national side as he had to face challenging times within the Proteas environment.

"The environment [Proteas] was a place where you couldn't fully be yourself and it was difficult. It was also after the heartache of the 2015 World Cup, whereby a lot of the team dynamics changed in the team. It was really something difficult to be a part of, especially a young player like me who was trying to find his way in the team but I learnt from that."

The Call-Up

At the time, Piedt was still in America and Cricket South Africa was facing a dilemma as the SA20 would clash with the New Zealand Tour and the players picked in the SA20 would not be available for New Zealand. New coach Conrad was faced with the conundrum of having to pick uncapped players and veterans in the likes of Piedt for the series.

"Shuks sent me a text message...New Zealand?"

"I was thinking to myself, don't f#&%n lie to me...that's not exactly the words I used [laughing]. He came back to me and said no I am dead serious. I didn't know at the time about the selections with the SA20 dilemma and I thought he was joking with me. Then things changed for me in the US, from politics with my contract and I was like let me rather take this opportunity [The Proteas call-up]. My wife was really supportive of me moving back again. Shuks also sent a message to JP [Duminy] and JP said yes please bring him. That is eventually how I came back and ended up playing."

Relationship with Coach Shuks

Piedt shares a special relationship with Conrad as they have worked with each other in the past with the Cape Town franchise.

"My relationship with Shukri is very good, I have known him for a very long time now. I met him for the first time in 2007, when I was bowling in the nets for the Cape Cobras [Western Province]. He really liked me from then on and we understand each other. I always enjoyed playing under him as he allowed me to be myself."

Criticism from the public for the Test Selection

Piedt was picked for the Proteas test squad at the age of 32 years and only played nine Tests for South Africa. He hadn't played for the national team nor featured in the domestic scene for a couple of seasons. With the dilemma of the schedule clash with the SA20, some critics had ideas Conrad would pick fresh and up and coming youngsters to bolster the overall Proteas squad.

SA20 Selection

Piedt was picked in the latest instalment of the SA20 Draft by MI Cape Town and couldn't hide his emotions on the selection and eagerness to be involved in the competition.

"It was pretty cool, I mean I am a Cape Town boy. I watched the first two seasons away from Cape Town and I know what the people of Cape Town are about. Obviously they haven't done well in the first two seasons, so I'm going to come and be the personality I am in the dressing room and on the field to express myself. My game of cricket is in a good place and that's obviously going to help the situation. I am really happy to be back and nice having Ben Stokes in my team at Newlands after he pumped us in a Test Match over there [England] in 2016/17."