A special feeling

It really is a special feeling picking up a man-of-the-match award in a game that wins a series for your country. It’s undoubtedly one of the highlights of my career – getting that award in Bloemfontein as we wrapped up the one-day series against Sri Lanka.

It was even more satisfying that I was given the opportunity to go up the order to number four and that I managed to make the most of that opportunity with my contribution of 72 from 74 balls.

It was unfortunate to be run out with a first international one-day hundred in sight, but I was really struggling with cramp and my body just couldn’t cope. It was incredibly warm when we were fielding – my dodgy back was already feeling a little stiff and I could even feel my muscles starting to shut down. Then, when I got to bat, there were a lot of sprinted singles and twos as the Bloem field is a big one and that just made my physical situation even worse.

I actually started cramping when I had about 30 and when I got to 50 and 60, I was in really bad shape and feeling it on every shot I played. I was trying to sprint at full pace, but my body just wasn’t allowing me. I actually took some cramping tablets before and during the game, but it’s clearly something that I’m going to have to get better at preparing for. I’ve had a long chat with both our physio and our trainer and we’re going to try a few different things before the next game, such as possibly paying more attention to the day before a game and how I prepare.

What I liked about my innings in Bloem is that I responded well to the pressure we were under, at first 29 for two and then 52 for three. And that was without the likes of the Jaques Kallis and Hashim Amla, which is a lot of experience to be without. I’ve made no secret of the fact that number four is my preferred batting position in one-day cricket, and it was just nice to show both Gary Kirsten and AB de Villiers that I can do a good job up the order if given the chance. I wanted to prove myself. Basically, though, I just played as I play for the Titans, and I just rolled out my same game plan.

I was also very happy with my fielding. I think I’m fortunate right now that I’m throwing the ball and it’s hitting the stumps, because I’ve played enough cricket to know that that isn’t always the case. I’ve had my share of misses, but right now it is going well for me at backward point. More importantly, in Bloem, I managed to run out Kumar Sangakkara, who I think is Sri Lanka’s best batter. So, it was even more satisfying, playing a role in getting rid of one of their big guns. I take my fielding very, very seriously and I’m going to just keep diving around the field and attempting to hit the stumps, because a moment like that can really change a game.

There wasn’t much in the way of post-match celebrations in Bloem. Personally, I spent about 40 minutes lying down and cramping, but after that we headed back to the team hotel, had a few drinks, played some music and just relaxed. As I’ve said before, it’s very important to celebrate victories and a series win over a one-day side like Sri Lanka is something worth celebrating.

Before I go, just a quick recap of what went on in the opening two games of the series, which obviously set us up for the series victory. The first game, where we bowled them out for 43 in Paarl, was just incredible. The highlight was our aggressive bowling, which I think surprised them.

The second game in East London was a good run chase on our part, but personally, the first two games weren’t very satisfying from an individual point of view. Both times I went in with just few overs left, and as much as I tried to do everything I could to move things along, it’s just a very tough place to bat, and you’re not always going to get it right. I’m the sort of guy who prefers to take his time getting in, but, at the same time, I’m also very happy batting wherever team management put me – it’s just an adjustment to my game plan that I need to keep working on.

What is nice is that Gary has told JP, AB and I that he wants us to rotate at numbers four, five and six, depending on the situation of the game. That’s nice, because it does mean that I will get opportunities to bat at four and five. It’s been interesting and enjoyable playing under AB’s captaincy.

The biggest thing is that he’s so team driven and that was shown by his decision to send me in ahead of him in Bloem, because he thought that was best for the team. He’s also very aggressive, when we are in the field, and he always wants to take wickets, which I like.

I’ll touch base at the conclusion of the one-day series.