by Abhai Sawkar The debut season at the highest level of domestic cricket can at times be overwhelming for newcomers, but topping the run charts in your inaugural season is indicative of impactful ability and serious potential. Dolphins wicketkeeper-batsman Grant Roelofsen has made an immediate impression upon arrival at the franchise scene. It’s the product of a lot of hard yards over the years, and it couldn’t be more gratifying to have a breakthrough first season. “I’m very thrilled that I’ve made so much progress in a short space of time. I’ve worked very hard on my game and to reap a few rewards over the course of the season has been surreal.” Originally from Johannesburg, Roelofsen enjoyed spending time outdoors. Ever since he’s been able to hold a bat, the passion for the game has only increased over the course of time. He played plenty of cricket for King Edward VII High School, and by the time he graduated, he was well-equipped with a reliable set of skills. “I started playing cricket around when I was 3. We used to go camping a lot as a family, and we used to play on the road. I think the major swing in my cricket was probably going to KES, where Ryan Cook was my coach. He gave me the tools and the advice about what it’ll take to become a professional cricketer.” While we’ve seen his rapid strides of development as a talented youngster in the professional circuit, it wasn’t so easy early on for Roelofsen. He was a bit of a late bloomer in his teens, but the backing he received from his coaches proved to be very instrumental. He’d go on to play for South Africa’s Under-19 side in 2014. “I think one of my biggest setbacks when I was younger was the fact that I hadn’t grown into myself as quickly as the other players. When I was around 14 or 15, I wasn’t making the provincial sides and I think it’s just because I didn’t really hit the ball as hard and far as the other guys did and as a result, I didn’t exactly stand out a whole lot. I was taught some good techniques from a very young age, and to have a good mindset. So that’s what I’ve stood by, and that’s kept me going throughout my career.” Roelofsen played his first season of semi-professional cricket for Gauteng, but following a tough beginning, he opted to relocate to the coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal. Initially it didn’t seem like the easiest decision, but it was a pivotal stage when it came to kick-starting his foray for more recognition. His vulnerability and openness to challenges would soon begin to serve him well. “The move was a very difficult decision - especially leaving my family behind and going from a big city to a smaller place like Pietermaritzburg. Leaving the union where I grew up for new experiences where not as many people know you wasn’t easy at all. Sometimes change is good, and players sometimes need that change. I, for one, like to look back and it was probably the best move of my career just to get me out of my comfort zone. And that’s where I’ve really learned my trade.” In the 2017-18 season, Roelofsen debuted for KwaZulu-Natal Inland and immediately got to work - he’d top-score for his side, amassing a stellar 781 runs in the 3-Day Cup, including a scintillating unbeaten 224 against Namibia. That couldn’t have been a better start at his new home, but the best was yet to come. During the very next season, he maintained the streak of unmitigated consistency, putting together another 503 runs in the longer format. It wasn’t just first-class cricket - Roelofsen resolutely dominated across formats. He scored the most runs for his side in the Provincial T20 Cup in late 2019. The prolonged successes and unfettered confidence finally propelled him to the franchise scene for the Hollywoodbets Dolphins. For Roelofsen, that was the much-awaited exhilarating moment. At the same time, it was going to be a pressure-packed season to come. Since he first began playing top-flight cricket, Roelofsen has batted in various positions but more recently he’s made the opener’s spot his own. “When I made my debut for the Dolphins, first of all I had to open the batting. That was something very new to me: opening the batting as well as keeping wicket in a 4-day game. I was facing guys like Chris Morris and Junior Dala, all these experienced guys. Naturally, it was pretty nerve-wracking, to be honest. But it’s the next step of my career, and I was excited and raring to get out there and show everyone what I bring to the table as a cricketer.” As much as Roelofsen enjoyed a cantering start to his franchise career, the situation soon became more and more intense. He often opened the batting and donned the gloves in 4-day cricket, and his stamina was put to the ultimate test. Then again, it was a priceless time out in the middle, and every moment was a key learning experience. “It got demanding pretty quickly last season to open the batting and keep wickets in the longer format. Over the course of time it does get physically and mentally taxing. I had to take a break from keeping towards the end of the 4-day competition. I think it’s a difficult job - it’s something I need to take on board and if I’m going to do it for the Dolphins or higher up, I have to maintain a good, positive mindset towards it. But at the same time, it’s rewarding for me, too.” For Roelofsen, it’s most important to take the necessary steps to be prepared for every forthcoming challenge. Readiness has paid plenty of dividends this season as well as brought forth a few awards, including the richly-deserved Momentum One Day Cup Cricketer of the Season and the Domestic Players’ Player of the Season. “It comes down to my preparation, and I feel I was quite consistent last season in both 4-day cricket and 50-over cricket. Ultimately, preparation is big for me - I’m very strict about it. If you can be consistent behind closed doors, it’ll be easier to be consistent when you’re out in the middle. That approach definitely helped me this season.” Roelofsen’s inspirational figures include vastly successful players that have gone on to take charge of their sides in international cricket. Mental toughness is, without a doubt, a key component when playing at the highest tier. “For me, my role models have usually been guys that have had strong mindsets towards the game. Take Graeme Smith, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and the Waugh brothers for example - all these guys are known for their mental toughness. They’re hard individuals and I’ve looked up to their characters.” Now that he’s laid out a stable platform, Roelofsen’s plan for next season is picking up from where he left off as well as remaining a mainstay across all forms of the game. He’s created a very favorable first impression, but he’s yet to make his entry in the country’s flagship domestic T20 competition, the Mzansi Super League. “I think my biggest goal for the upcoming season is to continue my consistency and replicate my performances from last season and more. I want to be somebody who is a reliable performer and match-winner. Putting numbers on the board and hopefully entering the MSL are what I’m eyeing at the moment - I’d love to play all three formats in professional cricket.” As he was making rapid strides, the COVID-19 pandemic brought the season to an abrupt end. Since then, the lockdown period has been frustrating from time to time. Given the uncertain circumstances, it’s still unknown when it’ll be safe enough to return to cricket. The 3TC event was a success, but a rise in the cases nationwide has kept cricketing activity in check. Roelofsen’s optimism is strong, and he’s eagerly looking forward to getting back to the game as soon as the conditions permit. “Lockdown has been alright. It’s had its difficulties, psychologically and mentally. Without cricket it’s been tricky, especially when you don’t know when you’ll get back on the field. These are uncertain times and we can’t change anything. We have to follow the day-to-day routines and the government restrictions and ultimately we’ll get through this together.” At 23, Roelofsen has already realized a slew of accomplishments. Should he continue with this momentum, he’ll move up the ladder towards international cricket. It may seem that the talented keeper-batsman has dazzled right from the get-go, but all the progress has been fueled by assertive decision-making skills as well as the constant desire to leave no stone unturned.
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September 2020
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