QUESTIONS were asked when the young Matthew Breetzke was left out of the Proteas T20 side that toured the Caribbean last month.
After all, the 25-year-old batter had been decent in the two series he had played up to that point, and had displayed good form in the T20 domestic tournament in England before South Africa toured the Caribbean.
Breetzke told Independent Newspapers this week that Proteas limited-overs coach Rob Walter communicated with him about the reasons for leaving him out.
“Yes, there was communication,” he said.
“The squad was quite a big squad, and if I were to have been picked, I would have had to bat at a position that I’m not comfortable with, at five or six.
“So, Rob wants me to bat in the top three, and hence why he left me out. Hopefully, against Ireland (from September 27) I can bat in the top three, and I can take my opportunity.”
Since then, Breetzke has continued his good form as he fought a lone fight this week at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley, where South Africa ‘A’ clashed with Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the first unofficial Test match.
The right-hander scored a mature 213-ball 129, pushing the hosts to a decent 372-run first-innings total and bringing up his eighth career century in the process.
However, the hosts went on to lose the match by six wickets and handed the visiting Sri Lankan side a 1-0 advantage in the two-match series.
For a young man with dreams of earning a Test baggy green one day, the century came at a perfect time for Breetzke as the entire Proteas Test coaching staff watched his knock from the dugout, as they also manage the SA ‘A’ team.
Breetzke highlighted discipline as part of the recipe for his success on a Diamond Oval wicket that was tricky to bat on.
“On that type of wicket, it had to be a disciplined innings because it was going up and down, and the Sri Lankan bowlers bowled well, especially as the ball got older,” Breetzke said.
“I was happy with how I played in terms of sticking to the plan and concentrating for long periods. Unfortunately, I got a bit of a shocking decision from the umpire, but I would’ve loved to have carried on to get a big score.
“I’m not sure what the performance would do for a Test call-up. Hopefully, it gets me closer to playing in that Test side.”
At the time of the interview, Breetzke said that there had been no clear communication from Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad about what part of his game needs to develop for him to earn a spot in the playing XI.
White-ball head coach Rob Walter has today announced the squads for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan and the proceeding white-ball tour against Ireland, which get underway in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later this month.
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) September 9, 2024
The Proteas will… pic.twitter.com/CxqsY618Kr
However, the top-order batter remains humble and motivated to keep scoring runs in the hope of not only earning a second Test call-up, but also a maiden cap in the longest format of the game.
“To be honest, I haven’t had much communication (with Conrad),” he said.
“I believe I have to keep scoring runs, because I’m more than good enough, especially for the Test set-up. I believe technically I’m ready, and mentally I’m ready to play Test cricket. Hopefully, when I do get my chance, I can take it with both hands,” he said.
The most disappointing part of the SA ‘A’ team’s loss in Kimberley was how the home batters failed to build partnerships in the second innings as they were bowled out for 124.
There was not even a single 50-run-plus stand as Sri Lanka bowler Isitha Wijusendara picked up seven wickets.
“I would put it down to guys not being switched on enough, as well as some really good bowling from the Sri Lankan bowlers on a wicket that was seaming a little bit,” Breetzke reasoned. “It was our fault in terms of not being switched on.”
The second and final unofficial Test between the two sides will get under way on Sunday in Benoni.