CAPE TOWN. – A technical change to his stance has helped Andrew Puttick to become one of the most prolific run-scorers in the early part of the Momentum One Day Cup competition.
The 34-year old left-handed opener of the Nashua Cape Cobras did not take part in the net practice on Tuesday but watched from a distance. He also did not participate in a light soccer match with his teammates at Newlands. He is nursing a slight quad injury.
Yet Puttick was confident he would be able to start on Wednesday in the Momentum One Day Cup match against the Chevrolet Knights at Newlands.
Perhaps the full truth is that nobody would be able to keep the bat out if his hands. The confident Puttick would walk to the pitch on one leg if necessary, as he has been in a rich vein of form, having scored 284 runs at an average of 142 in the first three 50-over matches of the season.
It included 101 against the Chevrolet Warriors on Friday and 94 against the bizhub Highveld Lions on Sunday.
Puttick said he changed his trigger movement in order to get his head closer to the ball at the point of impact. He is also less upright in his stance. These slight adjustments have helped him to hit the ball better and also to improve his balance.
Self-confidence was a factor. “If I made those changes and nicked off the first ball, it would not have been successful,” he added.
Puttick said he did not emulate any South African batsman. At least two SA test stars, AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, are known for their trigger movements. “I developed my own technique,” he said.
Last season, the major run-scorer in the Momentum One Day Cup competition was Heino Kuhn, who managed 467 runs in the competition. Puttick is already closing in, having scored 284 runs.
Some pitches might be slightly dryer, while the outfields are also quicker, said Puttick.
All these factors have come into play in the Momentum One Day Cup competition.
Puttick said he still believes he is good enough to represent South Africa in either One Day Internationals or tests.
“The ultimate for me would be to play for South Africa as a test opener,” he added.
Yet Puttick was confident he would be able to start on Wednesday in the Momentum One Day Cup match against the Chevrolet Knights at Newlands.
Perhaps the full truth is that nobody would be able to keep the bat out if his hands. The confident Puttick would walk to the pitch on one leg if necessary, as he has been in a rich vein of form, having scored 284 runs at an average of 142 in the first three 50-over matches of the season.
It included 101 against the Chevrolet Warriors on Friday and 94 against the bizhub Highveld Lions on Sunday.
Puttick said he changed his trigger movement in order to get his head closer to the ball at the point of impact. He is also less upright in his stance. These slight adjustments have helped him to hit the ball better and also to improve his balance.
Self-confidence was a factor. “If I made those changes and nicked off the first ball, it would not have been successful,” he added.
Puttick said he did not emulate any South African batsman. At least two SA test stars, AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, are known for their trigger movements. “I developed my own technique,” he said.
Last season, the major run-scorer in the Momentum One Day Cup competition was Heino Kuhn, who managed 467 runs in the competition. Puttick is already closing in, having scored 284 runs.
Some pitches might be slightly dryer, while the outfields are also quicker, said Puttick.
All these factors have come into play in the Momentum One Day Cup competition.
Puttick said he still believes he is good enough to represent South Africa in either One Day Internationals or tests.
“The ultimate for me would be to play for South Africa as a test opener,” he added.