Parnell credits Cobras' performances as the main reason for his improving form at national team level

All-rounder Wayne Parnell has credited a consistent run at the Cobras as the main reason for his improving form at national team level.

After he was dropped by national selectors for a series of inconsistent performances‚ Parnell received another chance against Sri Lanka in the T20 series where he returned with three wickets in as many innings.

Parnell has already claimed three scalps with figures of 3/48 in ten overs and he is determined to keep on improving to stake a claim in the team with the Champions Trophy to be hosted by England and Wales looming in June.

“After being out of the team for a period of time‚ I went back to play domestic cricket where I figured out what I needed to do to get back into the national team and stay here‚" he said.

It has been going nicely for me over the past few months‚ I just have to keep on doing the things that I have been doing over the past few months and continue to learn and improve‚” he said on Monday in Durban as the Proteas intensified their preparations for Wednesday’s second ODI against Sri Lanka.

“Game time is the key thing when it comes to any international athlete.

"In the past‚ I went on tour and played one game here and one there and practiced everyday but it does not have the same effect as playing games week in and week out.

"Playing consistently at franchise level has been key for me over the past few months. If I am left out of the series‚ I will just go back to the Cobras and put up performances.”

Before the Proteas go to the Champions Trophy‚ they have a series against New Zealand‚ which includes a once-off T20 and five ODIs.

Parnell said it is an important assignment to gauge their readiness for the tournament.

“What is driving me now is sticking to certain things and doing them well day in and day out‚ cricket has showed that even the most successful guys succeed after two or three attempts.

"The short term goal for us as a team is the Champions Trophy where we want to go and do well because it is a big tournament.

"But before that‚ we have ODIs against New Zealand. We want to win an ICC event and focus is on the Champions Trophy‚” he said.

Parnell added that playing against Sri Lanka is good preparations because they will face them in the group stages at the Champions Trophy and dominating them in the remaining four ODIs will give them an advantage when they meet at the tournament.

Other group opponents for the Proteas at the tournament are India and Pakistan.

“We are also playing against Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy so this series will be a good marker for us and we want to try and dominate them over the remaining matches‚” he said.

- TMG Digital