Passed over to Proteas: Forrester's breakout Betway SA20 season is timed to perfection

"Timing is everything. When you’re really ready for it, it will come."

Dian Forrester may possibly never have heard of New York Times best-selling author Mandy Hale but her words could not have been more apt for the promising Joburg Super Kings allrounder.

For many players, the dream of playing in Betway SA20 is far removed from the reality of playing in the elite competition. The leap from domestic provincial cricket is steep, and often players discover the hard truths that they may not yet be ready.

So, when Forrester was passed over at the SA20 Season 3 Player Auction two years ago, he used it as a motivation tool to equip himself for when his opportunity could arise.

Fast forward to the conclusion of Season 4. Having been picked up by JSK - for R200 000 - at the following auction, Forrester was ready to shine on the big stage.

He certainly repaid the faith, striking 175 runs at an average of 58.33, strike-rate of 165.09, with a best of an unbeaten 80 in his maiden SA20 Season.

His exploits not only played a pivotal role in JSK qualifying for a fourth successive play-offs but also earned the Rising Star a maiden call-up to the Proteas T20I squad for the upcoming tour to New Zealand.

"This first season was just amazing. I think regarding the timing, it's just God's timing. It just shows like I wasn't maybe ready last year and this year I was ready. There were still a few things I needed to work on in my game and it just gave me a lot of clarity," Forrester said.

"I'm now doing specific training because the higher you go, the more important it becomes. Like everyone just trains specific, specific bowlers, specific grounds. That was very, very important and it paid dividends.

"Absolutely thrilled how I did. Very nervous, obviously, playing your first SA20 for a big team, around big players. So, I was just trying to stay present, enjoy it. So, yeah, I'm very happy about that."

Playing for JSK was extra special for Forrester. A former Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool prodigy, Forrester had grown up hero-worshipping the likes of fellow Affies alumni such as former Proteas captains AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis.

And now the 25-year-old was sharing a dressing room with Du Plessis.

"Faf is absolutely amazing. I think everyone always talks about a person's presence and aura. When Faf walks into the changing room, everyone just pauses for a second when you look at him. Especially me," he said.

"I grew up watching Faf and he was absolutely great. He's a legend. So, to sit next to him and chat to him about the game, you try to think of questions because you're like, I just want to chat to you and pick your brain.

"So, that was absolutely amazing. He gave me such valuable advice and just picking his brain, just how he approached the game for so long. So, that was very, very good."

The sage words will certainly be beneficial to Forrester when he makes his expected international T20I debut against a quality outfit like the Black Caps, who recently finished as runners-up at the T20 World Cup.

Forrester must still pinch himself that he could be playing for the Proteas by the end of the week but he is not going to be hiding in the shadows and is hoping to make a lasting impact.

"You always want to play for your country. And after the SA20, I was like, OK, I think now my chances are even better now to get into the mix. But it always comes as a surprise," he said.

"You never know how close you are. And I think that's the biggest thing. Playing in India's A-series last year also, someone got injured.

"I got pulled up, had a good series. And now in New Zealand, none of the main players are there. So, every single time is an opportunity.

"I'm the type of player that I would hope I have a big role on every single team. I like the responsibility of being a big player and putting my hand up in difficult situations.

"I wouldn't want it any other way. It's so nice to have responsibility. And you grow so much as a player to be in that situation and actually put your hand up for the team."

Proteas Men’s T20I Squad against New Zealand

Keshav Maharaj (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province), Connor Esterhuizen (DP World Lions), Dian Forrester (Auto Investments North West Dragons), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Rubin Hermann (Auto Investments North West Dragons), George Linde (World Sports Betting Western Province), Nqobani Mokoena (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lutho Sipamla (DP World Lions), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins) and Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).

Fixtures

First T20I Sunday, 15 March at 9.15am (SAST) - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

Second T20I Tuesday, 17 March at 9.15am (SAST) - Seddon Park, Hamilton

Third T20I Friday, 20 March at 9.15am (SAST) - Eden Park, Auckland

Fourth T20I Sunday, 22 March at 9.15am (SAST) - Sky Stadium, Wellington

Fifth T20I Wednesday, 25 March at 9.15am (SAST) - Hagley Oval, Christchurch