Parnell rewarded with contract
31 Mar 2009
Proteas bowler Wayne Parnell has become the youngest South African cricketer to be awarded a national contract.
Parnell is currently involved with the one-day team after making his debuts against Australia in the T20 and ODI formats earlier in the season. Although Parnell is described as a future all-rounder, his batting has a long way to go before he will make an impact in the international arena in this area.
‘At 19 years old, Wayne Parnell is the youngest player to be awarded a CSA contract and there are very good reasons for this,’ said CSA CEO Gerald Majola.
‘Wayne has come through the CSA structures since he played Bakers Mini Cricket as a 10-year-old, and has always shown that he is capable of converting his considerable talent into results,’ added Majola.
‘Last season, he led the SA U19 team to the finals of the ICC U19 World Cup and was one of the best players at the tournament.
‘He has continued to impress since being included in the Proteas’ ranks this season. His fast left-arm swing bowling, very useful lower-order batting and excellent temperament will make him a Proteas asset for years to come.’
Convener of selectors Mike Procter also lauded the Warriors all-rounder.
‘We have identified Wayne as one for the future,’ said Procter, ‘and I have been absolutely delighted with the progress he has made in the very short time he has been with the Proteas. The more he is involved with the various national squads the more it will benefit his game in the long term.’
Parnell admitted the rise to the top had come quicker than expected.
‘I was still at school 15 months ago,’ said Parnell, ‘and, although I have always had ambitions of playing for South Africa somewhere down the line, I never imagined that it could happen so quickly.’
12 Comments
31 Mar 2009, 18:58 pm
contracted dragons!
31 Mar 2009, 19:11 pm
We now have 3 left arm seamers on or around the fringe. I can’t believe that this essential ingredient to an attack has not been available for the last 15 years.
31 Mar 2009, 19:14 pm
One thing I did want to say though is that I thought Parnell was the best of them from the start and thoroughly deserves to be in the STARTING lineup of all the sides – Tests, ODI’s et al – not 12th Man. He’s good enough to take the heat.
31 Mar 2009, 19:31 pm
#2 grunk:
we have been unlucky there Brett Schultz and Aubrey Martyn to at left armers whose careers were cut short by injuries..
31 Mar 2009, 20:28 pm
….And he deserves it.
1 Apr 2009, 00:42 am
We know what he can do with the ball now lets see him wield the willow. I for one knew he would one day become a Protea when i saw him at the U19 World Cup.
1 Apr 2009, 13:45 pm
Look he’s good and is definitely one for the future, but not sure that he deserves a full-on contract yet. Let him get some more domestic game time and the odd international here and there before throwing it all at him. Just my opinion.
1 Apr 2009, 13:49 pm
#7 Mutant: Agree, Steyn was sent back to the Titans after his first couple of tests and came back to be one of the best bowlers in the world. Can’t help feeling Tsotsobe is the unlucky one missing out. He has a better domestic record and I think he was in front Parnell in the picking order before picking up the injury.
1 Apr 2009, 18:44 pm
#8 Corndog: Yes. But what can you do.
1 Apr 2009, 19:46 pm
#6 Ezee-23: The best player from that U19 squad is Rilee Rossouw.
1 Apr 2009, 22:18 pm
#8 Corndog: Tsotsobe does have a national contract.
#9 Ezee-23: Admittedly Rilee Rossouw has scored lots of runs this season but Jonathan Vandiar was the class act in that SA under 19 side. Unfortunately he has been out with injury most of this season but expect him to knocking on the door for SA selection in a couple of years.
SA can now pick a team of lefties:
Graeme Smith
Imraan Khan
Rilee Rossouw
JP Duminy
Ashwell Prince
Johnathan Vandiar
Matthew Harris
Robin Peterson
Wayne Parnell
Lonwabo Tsotsobe
Yusuf Abdullahh
2 Apr 2009, 14:15 pm
What happened to Ryan Maclaren. I hear he is signing for the Mumbai IPL team. His Kolpak contract should be up soon. he would be a great addition to the squad. His bowling is needed.
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.