Simelane earns first Proteas call-up

Hollywoodbets Dolphins allrounder Andile Simelane has received his first national call-up as the Proteas prepare for a white ball series against Afghanistan and Ireland in the UAE in September and October.

Simelane, who has been identified as a high-potential talent by Cricket South Africa, has been selected in the ODI squad to play Afghanistan and the T20 squad to play Ireland.

Last month the 21-year-old impressed with a devasting 110 off 70 balls for the SA Emerging side against Zimbabwe Emerging and he was part of the SA A side that recently played Sri Lanka A in a 50 over series.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins head coach Quinton Friend feels like this selection was inevitable given the prodigious talent of Simelane.

“He showed against Zim Emerging the talent that he has,” Friend said. “He’s a hard worker that is a true team man and we couldn’t be happier for him.

“He will learn some very important lessons and gain crucial experience being in the Proteas set-up and it was a matter of time before he got that call-up to the national side.

“The fact that he is equally dangerous with both the bat and the ball makes him an asset to any side and I hope to see him make his mark on the international stage.”

CEO of KZN Cricket Heinrich Strydom is incredibly grateful for all the different role players who made Simelane’s rise possible. The KZNCU Hubs Development Programme powered by Sunfoil and KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture played a huge role in making Andile’s dream a reality.

“Andile is a natural athlete with a good work ethic, I am very confident that he will become a future Protea star,” Strydom said.

“I hope that he learns as much as he can and enjoys every minute of the experience.”

"Jason and Ottniel will also learn hugely from the experience and playing in very different conditions in the UAE.

“As the Hollywoodbets Dolphins we pride ourselves on contributing to the national pipeline, we are very proud of these three players, and we wish them well on this next step in their respective Protea journeys.”

Along with Simelane, Jason Smith receives a first ODI call-up. After making his debut against the West Indies in T20 cricket recently, Smith will feature across both the T20 and ODI squads to play Afghanistan and Ireland.

Ottniel Baartman is another Hollywoodbets Dolphins star to be selected for the tour. The seamer has also been selected across all three squads.