Beuran Hendricks aiming to keep South Africa in contention at the World Cup after late call up

• Beuran Hendricks came into the South Africa squad as a replacement for the injured Dale Steyn
• South Africa have lost their first three games at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup

Beuran Hendricks, South Africa’s left-arm seamer, is under no illusions of what’s expected of him at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup: to help his country start to win.

Hendricks was added to the squad after Dale Steyn was ruled out of the tournament with a shoulder injury and joined up with his team-mates in time to see them lose a third successive group match.

To stay in contention for the knockout stages, that has to change and Hendricks hopes he can contribute, albeit not in the same way Steyn would have done.

“I am not going to say I can fill his shoes because its Dale. I come here with my own set of skills and my own ambition in this competition.

“It’s just about making sure I can fight the good fight and contribute with the set of skills that I have,” Hendricks said, mere hours after arriving in Southampton from South Africa.

Hendricks, 28, was on his country’s list of standby players but his selection still came as a shock to him, especially when he realised the reputation of the man he was replacing. “I was just on my couch, watching TV, when I got the call. I didn’t know who I was replacing but then I saw in the media that it was Dale, which is a massive blow.”

Steyn’s departure has denied South Africa the services of their most experienced seamer and has added to an injury list which includes Lungi Ngidi, who has a hamstring strain. Ngidi needs another week to recover which means Hendricks has every chance of earning his third ODI cap when South Africa play West Indies on Monday.

Though his international career is only beginning, Hendricks has a wealth of experience and success on the domestic scene, where he has lifted trophies with many teams.

In the 2018-19 summer, Hendricks was part of the winning Jozi Stars team in South Africa’s new T20 competition, the Mzansi Super League.

He also helped the Lions claim South Africa’s franchise first-class and twenty-over cups and was a late call-up to the Mumbai Indians, who won this year’s IPL. Hendricks hopes some of his good fortunes can rub off on South Africa.

“I am hoping to be the good luck the team needs,” Hendricks joked. “It’s been a good year for me personally and for the teams I have been with this year so let’s hope I can make it five (trophies) out of five.”

Not only does Hendricks bring a fresh mindset to the South African camp but he also adds a different dimension to their attack. Hendricks is a left-armer which South Africa have not had since Wayne Parnell in 2017.

As New Zealand’s Trent Boult, the leading wicket-taker in ODI cricket this year, has proved, the change of angle from his style of bowling can be an advantage and Hendricks agrees. “Variety is good in any side,” Hendricks said. “The best teams in the world have a different set of skill in each department.”

Hendricks knows that he will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, especially given the position South Africa are in. But, he also wants to enjoy the occasion of playing in the World Cup.

“I am excited to be here. We are three matches down so it's probably sitting deep with the guys. I only just arrived this morning, so I am feeling the hurt as well but the tournament is not over,” Hendricks said. “It is a dream come true, even under the circumstances. It’s the biggest stage for me. I’m looking to win."