Latest news with #RassievanderDussen

TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Proteas won public back and put demons to bed: Rassie van der Dussen
Proteas batter Rassie van der Dussen believes that winning the World Test Championship (WTC) at Lord's last week will inspire the South African public to take the Proteas seriously again. He believes the victory will go a long way healing scars for former stars like Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers, who were among many who suffered disappointments in 27 years of near-misses for the national team at major tournaments after South Africa's readmission to international sports in the early 1990s. Cricket in the country also endured a steep downfall in the recent past due to a host of factors, mostly the serious governance issues that plagued Cricket South Africa (CSA) in the early 2020s. The Proteas went from having big sponsors to none, as potential investors sought to distance themselves from the troubled sport. Like the sponsors, interest from the public dwindled. A 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 for South African sport 🥳🇿🇦 #SSCricket | #WTC25 — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 14, 2025 In the last two to three years, administration at CSA, after changes in personnel, has improved. Van der Dussen — who was given a hybrid rather than full-time contract for 2025-26 to spend more time in global T20 competitions and has accepted losing his red-ball place to emerging players — believes the team won the hearts of the public again with their superb victory in a glorious WTC final. South Africa came back from the dead for a five-wicket victory against Australia at Lord's. 'I think it will make people take Proteas cricket seriously again. In the last few years, even though we [the Proteas] have got to [World Cup] semifinals, people always compare cricket and rugby,' Van der Dussen said. 'It's like a cricket is good, but rugby wins World Cups type of thing. "𝐎𝐇𝐇𝐇 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐕𝐔𝐌𝐀!" 🥳🎶 #SSCricket | #WTC25 — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 14, 2025 'After all the stuff the CSA board went through in the early 2020s and all that political drama, it's almost like people weren't taking CSA, and the Proteas by extension, seriously. They were like, if you win, it's a bonus. 'Even the narrative leading up to this final, was like, 'Yeah, the Proteas only played the lesser teams and snuck into the final'. It's like, what do you have to do to get the credit you deserve? 'I think this win now is going to do that.' Van der Dussen believes CSA's turnaround has been integral in supporting the work of coach Shukri Conrad getting the Proteas flourishing again. 'They're actually doing some good things at CSA and the Proteas are actually doing some good things. I think it's a culmination of years of, I want to say graft, and years of being honest and getting the right people in the right places; years of good guys putting their head down and putting in the work and keeping believing.' "They always know better than the coaches anyway." 🤣❤️ There's something special about this @ProteasMenCSA outfit 🙌 #SSCricket | #WTC25 — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 14, 2025 After Kyle Verreynne hit the winning runs to secure the Test mace, former players, including Steyn and De Villiers, made emotional appearances around Lord's. Van der Dussen believes that the Proteas winning the WTC is an achievement that not only belongs to the 15 players who were in the squad in London, but also to the likes of Steyn and De Villiers, who helped pave the way for this success. 'This is a feat that goes hand in hand with the song that the Proteas sing: 'The fire stays burning, to those before us, and those to come, we play together as one'. 'The song started in the times when the Proteas fire started with [2003 to 2014 captain] Graeme [Smith] and AB and Dale — that batch. I think it's actually AB who was the main driver behind it. Kagiso Rabada gets by with a little help from his Proteas friends 'We haven't even been playing with each other for a long time and we produce this — I don't think that's normal.' Sport 8 hours ago 'So I want to say it started in 2010, somewhere there. It was really just a song acknowledging, as the words say, the guys who had been there and to the guys who are going to come. 'And just an acknowledgment of that, if you get to sing that song, you're a cog in this engine that keeps going, and it's not yours to keep. It's making the most of it while the sun is shining on you and trying to better the environment and the team and leave the team in a better space. 'But acknowledging there's going to be someone after you too, who's going to pick up the mantle.' 'There were 15 guys there [in the squad at Lord's] but I think it's come such a long way in putting to bed a lot of things the guys have been dealing with and carrying on themselves.' 'Through all those ICC events and all knockout matches we lost, there are guys who feel responsible and this puts to bed that.'


Express Tribune
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
HBL PSL 10 to resume today
The HBL Pakistan Super League season 10 will resume at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Photo: PCB/File The HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 resume today with Peshawar Zalmi taking on Karachi Kings at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Saturday. The tenth edition of the tournament is resuming after a brief pause due to conflict with India. All franchises have confirmed the availability of their international players and unveiled a slate of overseas signings to replace injured squad members. Islamabad United have confirmed the availability of five overseas stars for the remainder of the season. The lineup includes English opener Alex Hales, South African batter Rassie van der Dussen, Australian all-rounder Ben Dwarshuis, New Zealand's Jimmy Neesham, and English pacer Tymal Mills. "These high-calibre overseas players bring world-class experience from top T20 leagues, significantly boosting our campaign as we enter the decisive phase of the tournament," the franchise said in an official statement. "Islamabad United remains committed to delivering top-tier cricket to fans worldwide," the statement added. Lahore Qalandars have announced key changes to their squad following injuries to two international players. Sri Lankan power-hitter Bhanuka Rajapaksa replaces England's Tom Curran, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury. Bangladesh's veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan joins the squad in place of New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell, who sustained a hand injury during a home game against Karachi. Currently topping the PSL 10 points table, Quetta Gladiators have bolstered their roster with several strategic signings. While confirming New Zealand's Finn Allen and South African veteran Rilee Rossouw are going to stay, the franchise also added three Asian power-hitters naming Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal and Avishka Fernando, and Afghanistan's all-rounder Gulbadin Naib. The final of the six-team tournament will be held on 25 May at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. On 18 May, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host a double-header as Multan Sultans will take on Quetta Gladiators in the afternoon, while Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars will go head on head in the evening encounter. On 19 May, Islamabad United and Karachi Kings will feature in the last group-match of the event. The action will then shift to Lahore, where the first Qualifier is scheduled on 21 May. Eliminator 1 and Qualifier 2 will follow on 22 and 23 May, respectively. All matches will begin at 7.30pm local time except for the evening game on 18 May, which will begin at 8pm. The first ball in the afternoon match on 18 May will be bowled at 3pm local time. The league was temporarily suspended due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as an incident near the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium last week. Initially, the remaining matches were relocated to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in light of heightened security concerns. Former Australian legend and current Karachi Kings captain David Warner has confirmed his participation in the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 0. According to Australian media reports, Warner expressed confidence in the league's resumption and is expected to return to Pakistan to fulfill his commitment to the tournament. Fellow Australian cricketer Ben McDermott is also planning to travel back to Pakistan to take part in the remainder of the PSL, according to Australian media.


Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Islamabad United confirm five foreign players for remainder of PSL 10
Islamabad United have confirmed the availability of five international stars for the remainder of the Pakistan Super League Season 10, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining the league's competitive edge and global appeal. The lineup includes English opener Alex Hales, South African batter Rassie van der Dussen, Australian all-rounder Ben Dwarshuis, New Zealand's explosive all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, and English pacer Tymal Mills. Shakib, Rajapaksa join Lahore Qalandars for remainder of PSL 10 All five players bring extensive experience from the top T20 leagues and are expected to significantly bolster United's campaign as the tournament enters its crucial final stages. 'By securing the participation of these high-calibre overseas players, Islamabad United continues to support the league's stature and ensures that fans around the world enjoy world-class cricket,' the franchise said in a statement. Islamabad United, two-time champions, are aiming for a strong finish in PSL 10 as they gear up for the playoffs.


Express Tribune
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
HBL PSL X: Rassie van der Dussen joins Islamabad United for remaining matches
Listen to article South African middle-order batter Rassie van der Dussen have joined Islamabad United for the remainder of the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) X, the franchise confirmed. 'Islamabad United are delighted to welcome South Africa's star batter Rassie van der Dussen for the remainder of HBL PSL X,' the team said in a statement on Wednesday. Van der Dussen was initially drafted by Islamabad United but later withdrew due to personal reasons, prompting the team to name West Indies all-rounder Kyle Mayers as his replacement. However, with several players returning home following a brief pause in the tournament, van der Dussen has now confirmed his availability and will be part of the squad for the remainder of the HBL PSL X, which resumes on Saturday. Earlier, English batter Alex Hales also confirmed his availability, expressing his enthusiasm over returning to the team. Read more: Alex Hales shares message of support after returning for HBL PSL X 'Islamabad United has always been very close to my heart,' said Hales. 'They were the first PSL team I played for in Pakistan, and the support I've received from the fans and the franchise has been incredible throughout.' Signed by United in April, Hales said he had to rearrange prior commitments after the league's schedule changed but remained fully committed to helping the side. 'I was really looking forward to joining up with the squad for the latter stages of the tournament,' he said. 'I'm absolutely thrilled to be back in Pakistan playing in red. Hopefully, I can contribute and help the team push for another title.' Islamabad United, two-time PSL champions, will be hoping the inclusion of both international stars strengthens their lineup as the knockout stage nears.


Business Recorder
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
PSL 10: Alex Hales, van der Dussen rejoin Islamabad United
England's explosive opener Alex Hales, South African middle-order batter Rassie van der Dussen have joined Islamabad United for the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). 'Islamabad United are delighted to welcome South Africa's star batter Rassie van der Dussen for the remainder of HBL PSL X,' the franchise said in a statement. Earlier, English opener Hales had also confirmed his availability for United. 'Islamabad United has always been very close to my heart,' Hales was quoted as saying by the franchise. 'They were the first PSL team I played for in Pakistan, and the support I've received from the fans and the franchise has been incredible throughout.' PSL 10 revised schedule announced Hales, who was signed by United in April, said he had to reshuffle a few prior commitments after the change in PSL dates but remained fully committed to contributing to the team's campaign. 'I was really looking forward to joining up with the squad for the latter stages of the tournament,' he added. 'I'm absolutely thrilled to be back in Pakistan playing in Red. Hopefully, I can contribute and help the team push for another title.' Islamabad United, two-time champions, will be hoping Hales' return bolsters their top order as the business end of the tournament approaches.