Proteas coach Ottis Gibson asked his players to step up in the T20 series against Sri Lanka if they want to earn their spot in the World Cup squad in May.
And stepping up is exactly what allrounder Dwaine Pretorius did in the third and final T20I on Sunday at the Wanderers.
A lot of debate surrounded the South African allrounder position, with pundits arguing that the national team doesn’t have a proper batting allrounder.
Then Pretorius was promoted up the order in the T20 match and smacked an unbeaten 77 runs off just 42 balls as the Proteas claimed a 45-run win and series whitewash.
His case for World Cup inclusion closed.
CHOICE: Proteas coach Ottis Gibson. Photo: Backpagepix
Of the innings, Pretorius says: “I looked at it as a one-day game.
“In a ODI game, I’m probably going to bat when there are 16 or 14 overs left.
“I am trying to back myself and I’m glad it came off for the team [on the day].”
Of his chances of making it to the World Cup, Pretorius says: “As a player you need to give yourself the best opportunity to show what you can do in those situations.
“Selection is out of my hands and I can only hope for the best now.
“As a player you always back yourself and always think you can play there.
“This past season I have changed my approach to the game a bit - it’s not about what the other guys do - it’s what I can do and I can control.
“I’ve done it better this season than the previous season.”
GOOD CHANCE: Andile Phehlukwayo. Photo: Backpagepix
The 29-year-old will in all likelihood be one of two allrounders in the Proteas squad, with Andile Phehlukwayo being the other.
While Pretorius starred with bat in hand, it was Phehlukwayo that took 4/24 in the Sri Lanka innings.
Pretorius believes they compliment each other and says: "I enjoy playing with Andile - he’s got different slower balls to mine and we complement each other.”
Pretorius put his hand up in the last international match of the season before the tournament starts.
And now it’s just up to Gibson and his selection panel to make the tough decisions.