Matthew Breetzke, despite a record-breaking ODI debut and consistent performances, is not currently part of the Proteas’ T20 and Test plans, but he remains determined to secure a spot in all formats by continuing to excel domestically. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Although he’s made a sensational start to his One-Day International career, Matthew Breetzke has explained that he is not yet part of the Proteas’ plans in the other formats.
Breetzke scored 150 on debut for South Africa against New Zealand in Lahore in February last year. It was the highest score ever by a player on ODI debut in the history of the game.
Since then, he has gone on to score six more half centuries to return an average of 64 in the format at a strike rate of 96 in his 12 ODIs.
In the other formats though, it’s been difficult to cement a place. The 27-year-old has played just two Tests and 13 T20Is. With a highest score of 51 in T20Is, it seems he has been passed over and a conversation with Cricket South Africa’s Patrick Moroney confirmed as much for Breetzke.
“I had a brief with Patrick Maroney on my future with the Proteas and it was basically that for the foreseeable future, they don't see me in the T20 and Test side because there are batters ahead of me,” Breetzke told SportsBoom.co.za.
“With regard to the One Day side, he basically said my spot is not secured. That's pretty much it, and I'll be working hard to put weight of runs and hopefully secure a spot in the near future. That's definitely the goal.”
It comes after the T20 World Cup earlier this year and the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which ended this week. The Proteas sent an experimental squad to take on the Kiwis, yet Breetzke was not part of their plans.
In fact, he last played a T20I for South Africa against Pakistan in November.
In the meantime, Breetzke will have to keep piling on the runs in First Class and T20 cricket domestically to change his situation.
"I want to play all formats for South Africa. I think in terms of T20 cricket, I think there's maybe one or two shots I can get into my game to elevate my skill," Breetzke said.
“I think the weight of runs will help a lot. I should probably have that conversation with Shukri [Conrad] sometime soon, but I've got a massive burning desire to play all three formats for South Africa."