Thirty-something cricketers Dane Paterson and George Linde were the unlikely headline-makers this past week for the Proteas.
The Western Province duo won Player-of-the-Match awards in their respective outings for the Proteas. Paterson shone in the Proteas' win in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha, while Linde - a day later - won the award for a brilliant all-round performance in a T20 match against Pakistan in Durban.
Paterson got back into the Proteas fold at the start of the year for the Test tour to New Zealand, when coach Shukri Conrad had to pick a virtual "C-team" because all of the top players were involved in the SA20 League at home.
The matches in New Zealand were Paterson's first outings for the Proteas since January 2020, but he has since been in the squad as a back-up bowler because of all the injuries to the South Africans' fast-bowling stocks.
Paterson, however, got his big chance against Sri Lanka at St. George's Park after an injury to Gerald Coetzee. There was some sections of the Proteas fan base who wanted the young Kwena Maphaka to make his debut instead of reverting back to the 35-year-old Paterson.
However, seamer picked up his first five-wicket haul with a top bowling performance in the first innings in the Bay, while ending with match figures of 7/104.
Paterson then hit out at his critics on X, saying "this one is for you".
Paterson and Linde's performances just goes to to show that "age ain't nothing but a number".
@JohnGoliath82
“I’ve been through a tough time, but the last year has been really good. I feel I deserve this opportunity, I think it came at the right time,” he said.
“I struggled for a year or two, it was one of those things. Luckily I had a long break away from cricket in the winter, just to get away from the game and I think that helped me a lot.
“It brought that fire back. I always hoped I’d come back to the Proteas, but if it wasn’t the case then so be it. But I gave myself the best shot, through training, gym work, everything.”
Paterson and Linde's performances just goes to to show that "age ain't nothing but a number".
@JohnGoliath82