It is set to be a big month for up-and-coming Warriors batting talent Sinethemba Qeshile as he prepares to represent the Jozi Stars in the Mzansi Super League (MSL) T20 competition that kicked off on Friday night.
The former Hudson Park captain, who matriculated last year, was selected as the Stars rookie pick in the 11th round, on a cool R12,0000 contract. The youngster will now be looking to repay that faith over the next month in the country's flagship T20 competition.
“I was very surprised and happy to hear my name announced for the Jozi Stars,” said Qeshile. “It’s going to be very different to what I have become used to at the Warriors so far. I am playing with players from different franchises and international stars, so I have to adapt quickly.
“But I am very excited to be playing for the Joburg team.”
Qeshile is a wicketkeeper/batsman, so along with the great experiential learning he will get from playing alongside international stars, he will aim to take as much as he can from the team’s captain, Dane Vilas, who is also a wicket-keeper/batsman.
“I will be able to learn a lot from him [Vilas]. We play the same role, so he will be able to touch base with me and it will be important for me to listen carefully and watch how he plays,” said Qeshile.
“Obviously, I am really looking forward to playing with Chris Gayle as well as the other big names. I am going to be a sponge to most of the players and take as much as I can from the experience.”
The first match of the competition for Qeshile, should he play, will be against a number of his current teammates as the Stars take on the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants at the Wanderers.
Despite being up against the players he plays with, he is looking forward to the challenge.
“It won't be weird for me, I have got used to playing with some of the best players in the country and now I will be playing against some of my teammates. I am actually looking forward to it, it will be a new experience,” said Qeshile.
Although it can be daunting being thrown into a massive tournament like this, Qeshile will just be looking to take his impressive early form for the Warriors – where he has struck four half centuries including going out on 99 from nine innings – into the competition.
He also isn't setting his goals too high but believes he is in a team which can win the whole thing.
“I don't want to look too far ahead but the main thing for me will be to perform consistently. I think that will be important,” said Qeshile.
“We can definitely win the competition. We have the players to do it, we are covered across the board and if we believe we can do it, we can make it happen.”
The Jozi Stars take on the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants at 7pm on Saturday night...