2nd Test: Dane Piedt’s anticipation culminates in a fantastic five
Dane Piedt waited for 1,574 days, and finally, Wednesday arrived.
Fortunately, the wait was worthwhile, as he expressed to reporters in Hamilton: “It was a fantastic day of cricket, a brilliant day for South Africa.
We couldn’t have asked for a better day.”
For Piedt, it all began with the 16th ball of the second day’s play – when Will O’Rourke dismissed fellow debutant Shaun von Berg off the inside edge.
Piedt seized his bat and gloves, heading to the middle to resume a Test career that had been paused since October 22, 2019 – when he was part of the team that suffered an innings defeat by India in Ranchi.
However, Piedt’s return was brief, lasting only six balls.
The last of them saw a short delivery from Tim Southee, which he gloved to a diving Tom Blundell.
Despite this, Piedt played a pivotal role after South Africa was bowled out for 242, their last four wickets tumbling for just 15 runs.
New Zealand were dismissed for 211, with Piedt claiming 5/89.
Nearly a decade after his debut, in his 10th Test and 22 days shy of his 34th birthday, he secured his second five-wicket haul, marking new career-best figures.
The standout moment occurred midway through the second session when he found turn and bounce to have Kane Williamson, who had scored centuries in the first Test, caught at short leg for 43.
“Kane Williamson, in my opinion, is the best player in the world at the moment,” Piedt remarked.
“It’s the way he carries himself.
He’s incredibly humble.
You always have great conversations with him.
But it’s always satisfying to dismiss the big fish.”
Piedt’s journey to this point has been unconventional.
He retired from international cricket in March 2020 to pursue opportunities in the emerging professional T20 league in the US, with aspirations of representing the country.
Despite this, he was recalled to the South African Test squad due to the clash between this year’s SA20 schedule and the Tests in New Zealand.
Piedt’s return was facilitated by Shukri Conrad, South Africa’s red-ball coach, who reached out to him.
Our relationship dates back to 2008 when he was the Cape Cobras’ coach.
However, Piedt had to uproot his life, including his wife and son, to play in South Africa’s domestic first-class competition.
Despite this, he had to settle for a spot with second-division Free State, as the landscape had changed since his last match for the Cobras in January 2020.
In Piedt’s first match for Free State, against Limpopo in Bloemfontein in November last year, he claimed 5/55 in the second innings.
The following week, against Northern Cape in Kimberley, he took 3/82 and 3/72.
His contributions in the domestic circuit caught the selectors’ eyes, leading to his inclusion in the Test squad for New Zealand.
Piedt’s success defies stereotypes associated with off-spinners, known as the more conventional bowlers.
New Zealand is a quality Test team, a genuine cricketing side.
It takes perseverance and persistence over 10 to 15 overs.
We know we are constantly under pressure, but we seize those opportunities.”
Although South Africa lost by 281 runs in the first Test, the turnaround in Hamilton, where they secured a 31-run lead in the first innings, is remarkable.
As South Africa’s men’s team takes on New Zealand, they will share the spotlight with the women’s team, playing their first-ever Test against Australia at the WACA.
If things don’t go well for the men’s team, it could mark another first: New Zealand has never beaten South Africa in a Test series.
Piedt remains focused on the ultimate goal despite his personal success: “It will all be meaningless if we don’t cross the finish line.”
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