Cricket
Prince lauds Verreynne’s mental strength─── MORGAN PIEK 08:01 Wed, 23 Oct 2024
“While people are paying a lot of attention to his technique, he finds a way. He finds a way to come up with answers, and that is because of his mindset. That’s his strongest attribute.”
The Proteas batting coach, Ashwill Prince, has lauded the mental strength of the wicketkeeper, Kyle Verreynne, and believes this is the biggest factor that makes the young player such a good cricketer.
On Tuesday, the young Western Province wicketkeeper scored a fine 114 runs on day two of the 1st Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka to put South Africa in the pound seats.
It was Verreynne’s second ton after scoring his maiden century against the Black Caps in New Zealand in 2022.
Under the circumstances, Verreynne’s ton on Tuesday was by far the best of the two, and this is also by the admission of the player himself. “I think this one probably for me felt like a better one, just in terms of the context of the game and the conditions,” said Verreynne.
“I think New Zealand is a lot similar to our conditions back home, so to do it on the subcontinent and quite a tough wicket and in tough circumstances, I think for me it’s probably a better innings.
Prince, who himself was a fine batter for South Africa in Test cricket, said that Verreynne’s mental strength is second to none, and that is no doubt the players’ biggest attribute. “His biggest strength is his mentality,” said Prince.
Ashwell Prince. Photo: Cricinfo
“What I loved about Kyle when he was a young professional at the Cape Cobras when I was the coach, is that he believes that whatever the circumstances or the situation, he is going to win that battle.
“He’s never bothered about what people say about his technique. It’s in his mind, there’s a challenge. Somebody is coming with a ball or a team is coming with a bowling attack and a strategy. Ultimately, he believes that he is going to overcome, and that is his biggest strength.
‘He finds a way’
“So, while people are paying a lot of attention to his technique, he finds a way. He finds a way to come up with answers, and that is because of his mindset.
“That is his strongest attribute. That is what, going back all those years ago, stood out to me about the player.”
Verreynne’s top score in Test cricket is 136 not out, which he scored in Christchurch.
