Reeza Hendricks set for Test debut as an opener against Bangladesh

Reeza Hendricks is in line to make his Test debut for South Africa against Bangladesh in the first Test which starts at Chittagong on Tuesday, ESPNcricinfo reports. The 25-year-old, who features for the Chevrolet Knights in the domestic competition back in his homeland, will be turning out as an opener after the Proteas left out regular opener Alviro Petersen out of the squad for the two-match series.

Cricket is a game of chance, some say. That has definitely turned out to be true in the case of Hendricks, who started out his provincial career with Griqualand West as a middle-order batsman at the age of 16. A request, three years later by his coach at Eagles (former name of Knights) to open the innings, has led to the doors being opened for his Test debut.

Speaking of that experience, the Kimberley-born right-hander told ESPNcricinfo: “I was doing pretty well batting at No. 5 or 6 but that season at the Eagles, we had a problem with the opening position because we hadn't really found someone to put there. One day, Corrie van Zyl, who was our coach at the time, came and asked me if I would give it a try and I said yes. In my first match, I scored 151 so it seemed like a good idea to stay there."

That innings turned out to be a memorable and crucial one as his side were able to set the Cobras a target of 355, one they failed to get. Hendricks has remained in that position ever since and worked on the skills required up front and with much success as evident with his selection to the South African A side, the T20 squad (he made his debut in the shortest format against Australia last year) and now the Test team.

"The most important thing is to be disciplined and learn to leave well," he said. "And to be selective about the shots you play."

Despite a less than impressive first-class season, having scored 540 runs at an average just below 32, Hendricks was picked in the Test side along with Stiaan van Zyl, another player who is being considered for the opening slot.

He was asked to open for the Cape Cobras in SA’s first class competition and was impressive scoring 341 runs at 42.62. Van Zyl opened for the national A team as well in their match against England Lions earlier this year though that one didn’t turn out to be anything memorable.

Andrew Hudson, the former Proteas convenor of selectors, who quit his post after the 2015 World Cup, shot down Van Zyl’s chances and said the opener’s slot should be given to only a specialist.

"Stiaan is not an opener. To play out of position is not easy, especially at the top of the innings."

Hendricks will be opening the innings with Dean Elgar who, at 15 tests, is himself a relative newcomer. The pair though go back a long way as the two were the regular openers for their franchise before Elgar moved to Titans last year.

Hendricks was hopeful of converting their past domestic success to the international level, starting Tuesday.

"We have quite a good relationship and complement each other well. The left-right combination also helps," Hendricks said. "What makes us a good pair is that we have different scoring options and different shots. People say I'm the more aggressive one but I know I will have to adapt my game to the conditions."