Red-hot Reeza not yet thinking about World Cup

Reeza Hendricks is probably hitting the ball better now than at any time in his career, but the batsman is not thinking about booking his spot in the Proteas World Cup squad just yet.

The 29-year-old’s last four innings have yielded scores of 55, 104*, 108* and 79 playing for the Jozi Stars in the Mzansi Super League (MSL).

Hendricks, though, feels runs in a domestic T20 tournament, while it could have some impact, is no guarantee that he will be in England for the 50-over global showpiece.

The right-handed batsman said: “It’s a purple patch that I’m going through at the moment. I’m quite grateful for how it’s going at the moment.

“This is obviously a different format. I’d love to think it has some impact towards it (World Cup selection), but it’s a different format. [I’m] taking it as it comes.

“Leading up to the World Cup, it’s still a while away. Hopefully I can continue scoring, and closer to the time the rest will take care of itself.”

Hendricks scored a century on ODI debut against Sri Lanka in August but has not really kicked on after that, registering only one fifty in his following eight innings.

However, he said just being in and around the Proteas squad has contributed massively to his current form.

Hendricks added: “The intensity in the training and everything around that, the knowledge in the squad, it’s a good environment to be in.

“Coming back here, that obviously gave me a great deal of confidence. What I’ve learnt, I can try and execute here, and fortunately it’s been working and it’s been coming off.”

The Lions player should be in the Proteas squads for the home ODI series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka this summer, where he could push his case to be in the World Cup mix.

For now the player is just looking ahead to his next innings for the Jozi Stars in the MSL, even though he admits that he has been overwhelmed by the attention he has been receiving.

“Over the last few days it has been overwhelming,” Hendricks said.

“But I have to focus on the next day and the next game coming up. As I move on, I put this behind me and try to contribute again in the next game.”

By Nasri Alexander