Van der Dussen 'excited' for potential ODI bow

Van der Dussen enjoyed an excellent Mzansi Super League, his last three innings in the competition seeing him score 238 runs for Jozi Stars without being dismissed. Nevertheless, despite a couple of T20I appearances against Zimbabwe in October last year, he has yet to make his debut for the Proteas in the 50-over format.

Speaking ahead of the first ODI on Saturday, van der Dussen said: “Hoping to make my debut, I haven’t played a one-day international game for South Africa, but I have played two T20s. If that day does come, contributing towards a winning cause, that is the most important [thing]. And also to feed off the experienced guys, for me it’s a massive honour and privilege to be here. If I can learn and improve a bit that’s the main goal.”

Despite South Africa’s crushing whitewash over Pakistan in the three-match Test series, van der Dussen acknowledged the threat of the visitors, who are just one place below the fourth-placed Proteas in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI rankings.

“It’s important to go back to square one,” said van der Dussen. “The Pakistan team will also see it as a new opportunity for them to start afresh and make an impact on the series. It’s the same for us, it’s a new format, it's basically like two new teams. Momentum counts for something but from our side we know we're going to have to be at our best to beat a very strong side.”

For van der Dussen, the chance of playing at St George’s Park will be one he relishes, particularly due to the fact that it was the scene of his maiden domestic T20 game.

“This field is at the moment one of the best in the country,” said van der Dussen. “The outfield and the wicket always has a nice pace to it. It is a ground that has good memories for me, I made my T20 debut here a few years ago, and yes, quite excited.”