As per a press release by Cricket Ireland, Ruhan Pretorius, the Northern Knights all-rounder has been named in the Ireland Wolves squad against Bangladesh, with the squad leaving for the tour today on Wednesday.
Pretorius will join the squad as a replacement for George Dockrell. His inclusion completes the 16-man squad. It has also been confirmed that Harry Tector will lead the Wolves in all formats on the tour.
Pretorius recently joined Woodvale Cricket Club for the 2021 season following four years with North Down. He has also represented the Northern Knights, scoring 96 against North West Warriors in 2019 on his debut.
Speaking from home on the evening before flying to Bangladesh, 29-year old Pretorius said: “When I received the call from Andrew White it was really exciting – it’s an opportunity I’ve wanted for some time and one I’ve worked towards. The call up is a step in the right direction and I am looking forward to working with the coaches, and hopefully putting in performances that showcase all the hard work I’ve been putting into my game in Ireland.”
“Over the four years I’ve been in Ireland I’ve put in a lot of hard work with my batting, and this last year I’ve really concentrated hard on my bowling with Ryan Eagleson. But I must give a lot of credit to [Northern Knights coach] Simon Johnston who is a mentor for me.”
“Growing up in South Africa I always watched cricket, and always knew I wanted to be a cricketer. Believe it or not, I actually used to be a leg-spinner when I was young, but about the age of 13 or 14 I was bowling fast in the nets, and the coaches liked what they saw and encouraged me to bowl fast from then. In terms of cricketing inspirations, I think the likes of Jacques Kallis and Andrew Flintoff were the best all-rounders and I admired greatly – particularly Kallis, who really became the best in the world at the time.”
“I grew up in a place where there were many sports to choose from. Apart from cricket I played rugby until I was 18, and was also in athletics – but by the time I got to the age of 17 I knew I needed to concentrate more on my cricket.”
The year 2020 was quite eventful for him on both personal and professional fronts and the all rounder says that he feels he is in good shape heading into the tour: “Last season started slowly for me – I felt I was in good touch until Covid hit and we went a month or so without training. When we eventually got the season underway I got started but didn’t go on. But as the season went on I felt better, and ended up top run-scorer in NCU, and made a half-century for the Knights. It was a really disrupted season though at inter-provincial level and we didn’t have the best of season’s as a team, but I’ve been working hard since – doing a fitness programme over winter and indoor training with the Knights.”
“I also got engaged to my fiancée in July, and have been going walking a lot – so I feel in good shape going into this tour. I haven’t played in Asia yet, I’m looking forward to experiencing those conditions.“ he added.
Chair of National Men’s Selectors, Andrew White said: “The selectors are pleased that Ruhan will be given this opportunity on the Wolves tour.”
“Ruhan has been an extremely consistent performer since arriving in Ireland, and offers us both a top-order batting option, as well as adding to our seam bowling ranks.”