Parnell relishing Proteas game time
Wayne Parnell chats about his recent return to the Proteas fold and his aim to become a genuine all-rounder.
27-year-old Parnell has been in good form since he linked up with the Proteas earlier this month, ahead of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka. He came in as a replacement for England-bound Kyle Abbott.
He's featured in every match since and played a big role in dismantling the Sri Lankan batting order in the first ODI in Port Elizabeth last Saturday. He hasn't quite gotten on with the bat but his bowling has been far more consistent, making him a handy weapon in the Proteas bowling arsenal.
The Cape Cobras all-rounder will be keen to put in some good performances in the next few months if he is to stake a claim at a spot in the team ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in England.
Nevertheless Parnell said he was just relishing being back in the national setup.
"It was a nice start for me personally and I'm just happy to contribute to the team's success. This is a very important ODI series for us leading into the New Zealand tour and the Champions Trophy after that," Parnell said in Durban on Monday.
"After being out of the team for a period of time, I went back to domestic cricket and started to figure out what I needed to do to get back into the national team and try and stay here. Its been going nicely over the past few months."
The challenge lies in doing enough to warrant a permanent place in the squad going forward, which Parnell admits isn't so simple.
"Game time is the key thing for any professional athlete. Going on tour and playing one game here or there, or practicing doesn't quite have the same effect as playing games week in and week out. Playing under those pressures has been key over the past few months for me personally.
"I don't really mind if I'm playing here or at the Cobras if I am left out for a series, whether it's with a franchise team or the national team, it's about going out there and putting on a performance."
While Parnell hasn't quite had the opportunity to prove his worth with the bat at national level, he has made it clear that he wants to be seen and considered as an all-rounder. He even pushed for a pinch-hitting role in the 8 wicket victory last Saturday.
"Shaun Pollock asked me at the break in Port Elizabeth if Russell Domingo was going to send me in as a pinch hitter - I actually mentioned it to him but he said 'no'," Parnell joked.
"Contributing with bat or ball, wherever needed, has always been my goal for whichever team I'm playing for."
"With more opportunities that I've had in the domestic seasons this year and last year, I think people are seeing what I can do with the bat more so than in the past. What the future holds is something I have to wait for," Parnell said.
The Proteas take on Sri Lanka on Wednesday at the Sahara Stadium Kingsmead. Play gets underway at 13h30.