Exactly a year after he made his first-class debut as an 18-year old, the cricketing gods continue to smile on Wiaan Mulder.
It has brought a wide grin to the face of his provincial coach, Geoff Toyana. The Highveld Lions' mentor has already been brought to some firm beliefs about Mulder's upward mobility.
"I won't be surprised if he doesn't become South Africa's test cap No99, or 100," said Toyana, perhaps forgetting the country's latest test inductee, Andile Phehlukwayo, was actually cap 97.
Toyana believes Mulder is ready for the big time, even if he has just played in 10 first-class games. He took seven wickets in his maiden first-class game last season and the broadening of his batting horizons duly followed. "He's a special breed of player. He is the kind of player we need in South Africa."
Mulder arrived with a formidable reputation and has continued to deliver on immense promise, averaging 48.75 with the bat and 22.75 with the ball in his first year at first-class level.He has a highest score of 127 not out, was part of a rearguard action at No8, and his best bowling figures of 7/25 speak of a man with explosive qualities.
He must be blipping ever stronger on the national selectors' radar, but with it comes the burden of expectation.
"He is under pressure to perform but he has taken it in his stride," said Toyana. "Everyone is talking about him. He is definitely one for the future."
Having a player with the ability of a top-order batsman batting in the lower-middle order who is also capable of ripping the guts out of the opposition with short, intense bursts with the ball is an alluring cocktail for any coach.
"He provides balance to the team," gushed Toyana. "He is batting seven or eight but in the next season or two he could be five or six. We've still got some experienced batsmen."
Toyana then cautioned that Mulder's development had better occur in an organic way. "We must be careful that we don't push him and give him too much responsibility," said the coach...