Proteas’ Dane Paterson continues to put in stellar performances despite not being ‘a fan favourite’

Dane Paterson’s swing bowling has been highly effective. (Photo: Lee Warren / Gallo Images)

By Keanan Hemmonsbey

27 Dec 2024

Old dog Dane Paterson has turned the criticism over his selection into passion-fuelled performances for the Proteas.

Proteas red-ball coach Shukri Conrad had the option of debuting exciting teenage sensation Kwena Maphaka or giving a go to trusted 35-year-old war-dog Dane Paterson in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha when Gerald Coetzee broke down in the first.

Paterson pakistan Dane Paterson of the Proteas on day one of the first Test against Pakistan at SuperSport Park on 26 December. (Photo: Lee Warren / Gallo Images)

There is a great deal of enthusiasm around Maphaka as cricket lovers around South Africa would like to see what the youngster can do with a red cherry in his hands.

Instead, Conrad took the pragmatic approach and handed Paterson a sixth Test cap, four years after earning his first.

It wasn’t a popular decision among fans, but it proved an inspired one as Paterson’s gentle medium pacers nibbled about just enough on the St George’s Park wicket to hand him a seven scalps which included a maiden Test match five-wicket haul.

He returned figures of five wickets for 71 runs in the first innings, which earned him the player of the match award.

In his very next match, the present Test match against Pakistan, he went on to collect his second-career five-wicket haul, with figures of five for 61.

Read more: Paterson’s five wickets lead Proteas to solid opening day against Pakistan

“If people have something to say about you, you should take it because we all have freedom of speech,” Paterson said about the criticism he has faced.

dane paterson pakistan Seamer Dane Paterson acknowledges the crowd after taking five wickets in the first innings of the first Test against Pakistan at SuperSport Park on 26 December 2024. (Photo: Lee Warren / Gallo Images)

“Those types of things also fuel you. You want to prove people wrong, but with proving people wrong you put the team in good positions.”

Paterson took to social media to hit back at the criticism he faced for his selection:

“Hi to all the haters that doubted my selection. This one is for you. Thanks for all the negative comments about my selection. At the end of the day, it’s not about you. It’s about the team…”

After day one’s play at SuperSport Park, Paterson emphasised that his outpouring on X/Twitter was about crediting the team and that he understood that he would never be a fan favourite.

“Like I said in my tweet, it’s not about me, there’s also a team, there’s 11 players so if I’m contributing then the team is in a good space,” he said.

“I probably won’t be a fan favourite because I’m 35 and bowl 124km/h.

“Every player goes through it but hopefully I’m getting them some likes.”

‘Work in progress’

Paterson is not a late bloomer, having taken 354 wickets in 103 first-class matches before the age of 31, but he has taken his game to another level since, claiming 180 wickets in 45 matches between 2021 and 2024.

“Since 31 I’ve been bowling quite nicely,” Paterson said. “The form that I’m in, I’m not taking it for granted. I’m always going back, looking at videos at what I can do better, if there’s something I can improve on.

“It’s a work in progress. As a bowler, you’re never satisfied. Even with this spell, I’ll look and see what I can do better in the second innings.

paterson swing bowling Dane Paterson’s swing bowling has been highly effective. (Photo: Lee Warren / Gallo Images)

“It’s always a work in progress, the work stops when I stop playing cricket.”

What changed for Paterson in 2021 besides turning 31? He took up a county cricket contract with Nottinghamshire in England where he took those 180 wickets and refined his craft.

Suddenly, if South Africa makes the World Test Championship final and all their bowlers are fit, Paterson is pushing hard for a spot in the playing XI.

“Lord’s is a very long way [away],” Paterson said.

“I’ll be 36 years old. It’s a goal, everybody’s speaking about it. The team is focused.”

Another shot

Paterson’s return to the international fold was fortuitous. South Africa’s premier Test cricketers were forced to stay in South Africa and play in the SA20 in January and February this year while Conrad had to find 15 players to tour New Zealand for two Test matches.

Among them was Paterson, who was unremarkable on the tour, taking five wickets across both Tests, but Conrad saw something he could work with.

“I’ve known Shuks (Shukri Conrad) for a long time,” Paterson said. “I used to play a lot of amateur cricket when he was coach at the Cobras (now Western Province) back in the day.

“When we had the chat in January, we knew what was happening going to New Zealand.

“You think at that stage that this could be the last. I told him two Tests then that’s me done.

“Then we had a chat in New Zealand, he laid out his plan with me and we had an honest and open conversation.

“I knew what I had to do on my part, like getting into shape, training and putting in performances.

“I’m repaying him so hopefully he’s chuffed with his selection.”

Paterson remained with the squad in tours to the West Indies and Bangladesh without getting a game, but when he did get an opportunity against Sri Lanka and now Pakistan he grabbed it, and continues to grab it, with both hands. DM

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‘Work in progress’

Another shot