In-between practising his golf short game in his backyard, watching TV series and playing PlayStation, Kyle Verreynne is dreaming about making his Test debut for the Proteas.
It’s a dream that has driven the Cape Cobras cricketer for as long as he can remember.
But while the coronavirus lockdown has given him time to focus on his goals, it has also provided the 22-year-old with some valuable time to reflect on a season that included the highlight of his career to date: playing for the national team for the first time.
So when he crossed the boundary rope at Boland Park - a place he called home while on duty with MSL champions Paarl Rocks - Verreyne knew he had arrived.
The Pretoria-born wicketkeeper- batsman explains: “To make my international debut in Paarl against Australia [in an ODI on February 29] was so far the highlight of my career.
“It’s something you dream of and you build up so much when growing up and to finally get there means a lot to me.
“And then to do reasonably well [scoring 48 runs] in that game was also really special.”
Like a kid made to wait for midnight to open his Christmas presents, Verreynne was also made to wait for that moment.
After being chosen for the series against England earlier that month, he didn’t get to play.
But he believes that prepared him for the three matches against Australia.
The middle-order batter explains: “Not actually getting a chance in the England series was one of the best things that could have happened.
“I got to experience the team culture and interacted with all the players and also experienced what an international experience is all about.
“Having had the few weeks with the team, not playing but learning, and when I did get the opportunity against Australia, I felt that much more prepared.”
Preparation is key to Verreynne and while many are getting frustrated during the lockdown, he says: “I wouldn’t say the lockdown affected me too much, apart from not playing cricket and going to gym, it hasn’t affected me too much.
“I’m happy to just stay at home, I haven’t really been too bothered by it.”
While he wants to cement his place in coach Mark Boucher’s ODI side next season, Verreynne is mentally preparing to reach his big dream.
FAITH: Coach Boucher
With three first-class tons under his belt and an impressive average of 50.72, he concludes: “I want to play Test cricket, so I’m putting a lot of focus into my red-ball cricket and pushing towards getting into the Test side.”