After a breakthrough SA20 campaign, all-rounder Dian Forrester is determined to kick on and prove he belongs on the international stage.
The 25-year-old is one of four uncapped players in the Proteas squad for a five-match T20I series in New Zealand, which starts on Sunday.
The Joburg Super Kings player has had to bide his time before seizing the opportunity in the T20 competition to state his case for national honours.
Forrester was overlooked at the SA20 player auction two years ago, but said he used the disappointment as motivation to improve his game.
That mindset and work paid off last season after he was picked up by JSK for R200,000 at the following auction.
Forrester scored 175 runs in his maiden SA20 season at an average of 58.33 and a strike rate of 165.09, with a best of 80*.
His performances helped JSK qualify for the playoffs for a fourth successive time, and earned him a first call-up to the Proteas T20I squad for the tour to New Zealand from 15-25 March.
“This first season was just amazing. I think it’s just God’s timing,” Forrester said. “It showed that maybe last year I wasn’t ready, but this year I was.”
Forrester said the step up in professionalism at franchise level forced him to train with greater purpose.
“The higher you go, the more specific the preparation becomes – training for certain bowlers and certain grounds. That was very important and it paid dividends.”
Playing for JSK also allowed Forrester to share a dressing room with childhood hero Faf du Plessis, a fellow Affies alumnus.
“Faf is absolutely amazing,” he said. “I grew up watching him. To sit next to him and chat about the game and pick his brain was incredible.”
Forrester now hopes to make a similar impact if he earns a debut against the Black Caps, who beat the Proteas in the semi-finals of the recent T20 World Cup before losing to India in the decider.
“You always want to play for your country. And after the SA20, I was like, OK, I think now my chances are even better now to get into the mix. But, it always comes as a surprise,” he said.
“You never know how close you are. And I think that’s the biggest thing. Playing in India’s A series last year … someone got injured, I got called up, had a good series. And now in New Zealand, none of the main players are there. So, every single time is an opportunity.
“I’m the type of player who hopes for a big role. I like the responsibility of being a big player and putting my hand up in difficult situations.”
Proteas T20I squad: Keshav Maharaj (c, Dolphins), Ottneil Baartman (Dolphins), Gerald Coetzee (Titans), Tony de Zorzi (Western Province), Connor Esterhuizen (Lions), Dian Forrester (Dragons), Jordan Hermann (Warriors), Rubin Hermann (Dragons), George Linde (Western Province), Nqobani Mokoena (Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Andile Simelane (Dolphins), Lutho Sipamla (Lions), Prenelan Subrayen (Dolphins), Jason Smith (Dolphins).
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New Zealand vs Proteas T20I series (all matches 9:15am SA time)
Sunday, 15 March: 1st T20I, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Tuesday, 17 March: 2nd T20I, Seddon Park, Hamilton
Friday, 20 March: 3rd T20I, Eden Park, Auckland
Sunday, 22 March: 4th T20I, Sky Stadium, Wellington
Wednesday, 25 March, 5th T20I, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Photo: Carl Fourie for SA20