NEW DELHI: The packed calendar of modern cricket is very important, and South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder believes that the era of players who excel in all three formats is coming to an end. The 28-year-old, who plays for the Texas Super Kings (TSK) in the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC), reflected on the growth of cricket in the United States, highlighted the benefits of multi-sport culture in South Africa, and praised SA20 for strengthening international teams in all formats during an interview with TimesofIndia.com.SectionsHow would you describe the culture of cricket in the USA?I think the culture of cricket is very strong. Most of the local boys are from cricket playing countries and have migrated to the USA to play cricket. The quality of the local players is very good.In our team (TSK), players like Abhi (Abhimanyu Lamba), Amshi (Amshi De Silva) are some of the South Africans who are now representing the USA and are strong cricketers. This is one of the reasons that has made the league so competitive.If you look at the top wicket takers and top scorers, most of them are representing the USA, which is a promising sign for the league and cricket in the country. Hopefully, they can produce local players who are born and bred in America because that is the goal, for Americans to participate in the game and enjoy cricket. American sports fans are very loyal to their sport, so the cricket barrier has to be broken. But I think that barrier is slowly starting to come down.
Texas Super Kings’ Wiaan Mulder salutes the Seattle Orcas player following their six-wicket win in their opening match. (Photo Courtesy: TSK)
Today, players who compete in all three sports are becoming rare, and you are one of those players. How difficult is it to develop a career in Tests, ODIs, T20Is and franchise cricket? Is it sustainable over time?It’s hard, to be honest. I saw a statement from Ashwin a few days ago where he said that T20 cricket should be treated as a separate game from ODIs and Test cricket. I partially agree. Your skills need to continue to evolve in T20 cricket as the way the game is played now leaves room for discovery. In one-day and four-day cricket, bowling over the stumps is still very effective. In T20 cricket, I have realized that there are a few tools that I need to add to my arsenal as a bowler.Like the batter, it’s the same. Look at the innings Rowman Powell (27-ball 73) played against us. That’s pure power hitting. It’s not something you do in one-day or four-day cricket. There is something different about batsmanship in that formation.
I saw a statement from Ashwin a few days ago where he said that T20 cricket should be treated as a separate game from ODIs and Test cricket. I partially agree. Your skills need to continue to evolve in T20 cricket as the way the game is played now leaves room for discovery.
William Mulder | TSK player
Playing all three modes is very difficult and that is why few players can always be successful. Going forward, I think the players have to choose. Your body takes a beating because each type requires something different physically. It is painful and uncomfortable.It is also difficult to stay away from T20 cricket because of the money involved. But Practice Cricket will always have a place for people who really love the game.
Guwahati, Nov 22 (ANI): South African batsman Wiaan Mulder plays the shot on the first day of the second Test match between India and South Africa at the ACA Stadium, in Guwahati on Saturday. (ANI photo)
People often talk about the changes required when you move from T20 cricket to longer formats. But what about the other way around? If someone is a red ball player, how many technical changes are needed to be successful in T20 cricket?There are many changes. Method is one part of it and the emotional part is another. When you look at the players who are consistently successful in T20 cricket, their strategies often look very different from what wins in four-day games and, to an extent, even one-day cricket. There are some technical changes that are required if you want to be successful in all aspects. It’s what makes players like that AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli it is unique. They always find ways to diversify their game. Even someone like Jasprit Bumrah he has a talent that can be wonderfully adapted to all genres. Technique is a huge part of the game and is constantly changing. You’re always trying to find the edge, improve and help your team win because, that’s what it’s all about.
The Impact Player rule takes away my biggest strengths, which are batting and bowling and bringing success to the team. I think it’s great for the fans because teams can score 200 in almost every quarter.
William Mulder | TSK
As an all-rounder, what do you make of the Impact Player command? Some great cricketers believe that it affects the development of real players. What do you think?I think there’s a reason you’re asking me because it takes me out of the game. The Impact Player rule takes away my biggest strengths, which are batting and bowling and bringing success to the team. I think it’s great for the fans because teams can score 200 every time. Line shooting goes down and you see players like Venkatesh Iyer coming in at No.So it’s great for viewers and probably for the business side of the game. But as a cricketer and a person who loves the game, I enjoy the technical battle, the cat and mouse part of cricket. The Impact Player rule takes some of that and turns it into a one-way competition.Did it work in IPL? Absolutely. He is given freedom to hit the batsmen and forces the bowlers to be incredibly accurate. But personally, I’d rather it wasn’t there.
South Africa is in full control of the WTC.
South African cricketers often grow up playing multiple games. We have heard stories about players who excel in other sports. How has that sporting culture helped South African cricketers, and what sport did you play growing up?I played many sports growing up, tennis, rugby, cricket and golf. School sports are a big part of South African culture. As children, we are encouraged to play as many sports as possible and enjoy competition. It really helps. I think it makes us faster and more efficient. If you look at South Africans in general, we are good athletes in different sports and I think that is a competitive advantage. On the other hand, if someone is familiar with certain sports from a very young age, they can become very good very quickly.For me, though, playing multiple games made me a better athlete and that’s important in cricket because you have to bat, bowl and field. It really benefits us as a nation.
Much of that comes from the SA20 as it has introduced many domestic players to top cricket. It affected our domestic players and international cricketers because we are playing very competitive cricket.
William Mulder | TSK
South African cricket has had a remarkable year, winning the World Test Championship after being criticized for team selection in the past. How do you see the team progressing in all competitions, and can South Africa continue to win major titles?It has been a special time for South African Cricket. When we won the World Test Championship, we had a lot of players who contributed. Many boys scored hundreds, many took five wickets and different players stepped up at different times. Even at the end, different people gave important things. This is what made the team strong.Much of that comes from the SA20 as it has introduced many domestic players to top cricket. It affected our domestic players and international players because we are playing very competitive cricket. I hope this will continue because I think South African cricket is going well.
Do you agree that the era of successful cricketers in all three formats is over?
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The biggest challenge will always be to retain our best players in international cricket. Not only in South Africa, but everywhere, the money offered by League franchises is very attractive.Getting players to juggle international cricket with such demanding schedules is difficult. At the moment, we have players who put South Africa first and that is what we have done well. Whether this will continue in the long run, I don’t know, but I hope it will because there is nothing like playing Test cricket in South Africa. The feeling and atmosphere of the team is very difficult to duplicate anywhere else. I think international cricket will be played in dedicated windows as franchise players continue to grow. But South African Cricket has a very strong culture and we love to represent our country. If this continues, I believe South Africa will continue to compete at the highest level.
