2nd Test : Dane Piedt’s long-awaited journey concludes with the arrival of the impressive fantastic five.
Dane Piedt waited 1,574 days for Wednesday to arrive.
Fortunately, the wait proved worthwhile, as he expressed to reporters in Hamilton:
“It was a fantastic day of cricket, not just for me but for South Africa as well.
We couldn’t have hoped for a better day.”
For Piedt, the day commenced with the 16th ball of the second day’s play, when Will O’Rourke dismissed fellow debutant Shaun von Berg off the inside edge.
Subsequently, Piedt swiftly gathered his bat and gloves, stepping onto the field to resume a Test career that had been paused since October 22, 2019, following a defeat against India in Ranchi.
Although Piedt’s return lasted just six balls, ending with a delivery from Tim Southee that he gloved to a diving Tom Blundell, his impact on the match was significant.
After South Africa’s innings concluded for 242, with the last four wickets falling for a mere 15 runs, Piedt’s bowling prowess came to the fore as he secured figures of 5/89 during New Zealand’s innings.
More than nine years after his debut, in his 10th Test and just 22 days shy of his 34th birthday, Piedt achieved his second five-wicket haul, marking a new career-best performance.
The pinnacle of his day came midway through the second session when he managed to dismiss Kane Williamson, who had scored centuries in the previous Test, for 43.
Reflecting on this crucial wicket, Piedt acknowledged Williamson’s stature in the cricketing world, stating, “Kane Williamson, in my opinion, is the best player in the world at the moment.
It’s always nice getting the big fish.”
Piedt’s journey to this moment was unconventional, marked by a brief retirement from international cricket in March 2020 to pursue opportunities in the emerging professional T20 league in the US.
However, circumstances led him back to the Test arena, with his inclusion in the squad for the New Zealand series orchestrated by Shukri Conrad, South Africa’s red-ball coach.
Despite challenges and uncertainties, Piedt’s dedication to his craft remained unwavering.
His performances in domestic cricket showcased his skills, earning him a recall to the national team.
As he navigated the twists and turns of his career, Piedt’s resilience and determination never faltered.
Looking ahead, Piedt emphasized the need for consistency and perseverance, especially considering the competitiveness of the ongoing series against New Zealand.
As the match progressed, he remained focused on the ultimate goal of victory, aware that individual achievements would only hold significance if accompanied by a successful team outcome.
With South Africa’s women’s team also in action, Piedt recognized the significance of collective effort across both squads.
As they faced formidable opponents, Piedt emphasized the importance of delivering strong performances to secure favorable outcomes for their respective teams.
In the face of impending challenges, Piedt’s words resonated with determination and optimism:
“It will mean nothing if we don’t get over the line in the end.”
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