Van Der Dussen turned 36 earlier this month and currently plays only one format for South Africa, although it has been limited in all three. As you get older and a younger batter of hitters begins to arrive, it has accepted that your time in the team will not be forever.
“It is definitely a possibility that it is my last ICC tournament. I am not saying that with any preconceived idea that calls time or management calls in time in my career. It’s just reality,” said Van Der Dussen from Karachi, where South Africa is preparing for his last group phase match against England.
Before his 52 against Afghanistan, Van Der Dussen had gone 10 tickets without half a century and have been 13 since the last time he scored a hundred. Although there is no suggestion of this, and he at a press conference suggests that there is no danger, when Klaasen returns to full aptitude, Van Dussen himself could be in the shot line if all the Bavuma, Zorzi and Rickelton are preserved.
South Africa has not yet revealed any information about Klaasen’s elbow, but has said that he is suitable for playing against England. In that case, it is more likely that De Zorzi sits outside and Van der Dussen could have a chance of a title for which he has been working. “For me I always wanted to reach the Champions Trophy, which is now, and then we will evaluate again after that,” he said. “My national contract will be presented at the end of April.
“My ultimate goal has always been to play for proteins. People ask me, are you going to play leagues later? I don’t know if the possibility of not playing for proteins leaves, I will have the hunger to play in the leagues.”
Rassie van der Dussen
“I will have discussions with Rob [Walter] and with Enoc [Nkwe, director of national teams and high performance] And see where they see me and what is my role in the future. I feel that I am playing well. Physically, I’m spending a lot of time on my body. If I am still good enough in two years, I would like to think that I am in the mixture. If not, if other boys are pressing me and I can’t keep up with young people, then that’s fine. “
Unlike some players in the twilight of their careers worldwide, Trent Boult, Devon Conway and Tabraiz Shamsi are some examples, Van Der Dussen does not seem inclined to reject a national contract for leagues opportunities.
“My ultimate goal has always been to play for proteins,” said Van der Dussen. “People ask me, are you going to play the leagues later? I don’t know. I don’t know if the possibility of not playing for proteins disappears, I will have the hunger to play in the leagues. Representing my country has always been one of my big and unique objectives, so if that falls that, I am not sure what I am going to do. If they offer me another contract, I will definitely take it and commit to that period of time.”
And even if that contract does not take it until 2027, Van Der Dussen wants to participate in helping the side of Odi de South Africa to move towards his best. “I would suspect that from the point of view of management, its 2027 World Cup team has to start playing more regularly and start playing together. But there are many leagues that are happening in the coming months and everyone will not be available all the time, so even if it is in a type of transition, I will definitely commit to that. Being here is for me the last thing. The leagues are pleasant, but that is not pleasant, but that is not pleasant.
He confirmed that although he has not retired from the red ball cryket in “The last year or two of my career, I cannot see myself playing more red ball cryket”, and that he rejected an offer to do so at the end of this year. “I had a county offer in my way, what I rejected.”
Instead, you are focusing on increasing your short format game and seeing how far it takes it. “I played in some leagues and I did well. Even the leagues like T10 have taken my game forward. That’s why I feel now that I’m still hungry and I’m still playing well.”
Fredid Mounda is the spancricinfo correspondent for South Africa and the Women’s cricket
