Two former Knights cricketers will be playing at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA next month.
The batter Andries Gous and the seamer Shadley van Schalkwyk will both be representing the USA at the historic tournament that will be staged in mainland America and the Caribbean for the first time.
Last month both players made their international debuts for the USA in the five-match T20 International series against Canada.
Gous told Bloemfontein Courant that to play at the World Cup is certainly a dream come true.
“It is good to be recognised by being able to play in this World Cup,” said Gous.
“It is every cricketer’s dream to compete against the best in the world at the World Cup, so ja, for me it is definitely a dream come true, and I am guessing that it will no doubt be the same for Shadley as well.”
“We are playing against Canada in the first game of the World Cup, and the tickets for this game have been sold out already. That just shows you that the cricketing communities here are really excited.”
The 35-year-old Van Schalkwyk, in turn, told Bloemfontein Courant that years of hard work are finally starting to pay off.
“It’s really exciting times as it has gone from making my international debut last month and now going to a World Cup and possibly playing against some of the best players in the world. It just steads for good cricket and exciting times.
“I don’t what to say it’s what I’ve worked for my whole life, but just the last almost 20 years of professional cricket, I’ve really worked hard to achieve this and it’s nice to have a chance to be present at the biggest stage in the world and I’m very excited.”
Other former Knights that will represent South Africa at the World Cup are Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen and David Miller.
The T20 World Cup starts on 2 June in Dallas, Texas, when the USA faces Canada. – MORGAN PIEK
