Keegan Petersen – A cricketer to watch out for in future
Not too long ago South Africa were a force to reckon with in world cricket! In fact, the side didn’t lose a single overseas Test series between 2008 and 2015. However, the stocks of the Proteas side have drastically gone down in recent times and the sudden transition is the major reason behind it. As far as Test matches are concerned, the likes of Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and Temba Bavuma were featured in the middle-order a few years ago.
However, none of them are available now. Now coming to the fortunate part, the team seems to have to find a potent replacement for Amla at least. The name is Keegan Petersen and South Africa’s new number three has made a terrific start to his Test career. After grinding out in First-Class cricket for almost a decade, Petersen made his Test debut against West Indies in June 2021.
Keegan Petersen defied the odds against India
Having scored 44 runs in his first two games, Petersen didn’t really burst onto the scenes. However, the right-handed batter stepped up when needed the most. During the home series against India earlier this month, Petersen showcased his calibre and played one brilliant knock after another. In fact, he was instrumental in crushing India’s dream of winning a maiden Test series in the rainbow nation.
It must be noted that the series didn’t witness many high scores and India’s bowling line-up was studded with the likes of Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. Hence, many wouldn’t have backed the 28-year-old to make his bat talk. However, Petersen defied the odds.
While the batter was impressive throughout the series, his best was unleashed in the third and deciding Test in Cape Town. The Newlands track had a lot of assistance for pacers and the overall aggregate was less than 850 runs in the game. On the very same track, Petersen played not one but two stellar knocks.
After scoring a resilient 72 in South Africa’s first innings, he slammed a well-compiled 82 in the chase of 212 as the hosts won by seven wickets, clinching the series 2-1. Petersen was adjudged the Player of the Match for scoring 276 runs in three games, most for any batter in the series.
A veteran of just five Tests, Petersen couldn’t have made a better start to his Test career. However, there’s no reason to be hasty as the batter has a long way to go. He’ll have the onus to continue his impressive show at the number three slot to bring the heydays back in South African cricket.
