Donovan Ferreira has not even been in Yorkshire for a week yet – his first ever trip to England – but he already knows a bit about God’s Own County having gained some inside knowledge from a familiar face during his recent stint in the Indian Premier League.
One of Ferreira’s team-mates with the Rajasthan Royals was ex-Viking Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who has given him the low down on life at Headingley.
“Tom, what a lovely lad,” said South African all-rounder Ferreira.
“He just had good things to say about Yorkshire.
“He even offered me to stay at his place, and he’s also given me recommendations on places to go.”
Another of Ferreira’s IPL team-mates was England white ball captain Jos Buttler.
To say there are some similarities in their respective games gives you an indication of what excitement could lie ahead for Yorkshire fans over the course of the T20 campaign, which has started in mixed fashion for the Vikings – one win, one loss.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Wantage Road to face Northamptonshire Steelbacks (3.30pm), the 25-year-old Pretorian, who learnt a lot from Buttler whilst in India, continued: “Myself, TKC and Jos spent a lot of time together at the IPL.
Picture by Punit Paranjpe. AFP via Getty Images. Former Yorkshire batter Tom Kohler-Cadmore, on duty at the IPL with Rajasthan recently, where he got to know new Viking Donovan Ferreira.
“He’s a magnificent player. I don’t need to say that – you guys know.
“But, just in terms of mindset. Each player is different technically, but his mindset and his mental strength is something that is quite astonishing. Just the way he thinks about it.
“When he started his career he was batting at six, finishing off games, and then he moved up to opening. So I can learn a lot because that’s where I’m batting – five/six at the moment.
“You watch him bat but you never know what he’s thinking.
“The most important thing as a finisher is to think about the game and to have a strategic plan to actually get your team over the line. You have to bat that.”
Could Ferreira see himself moving up to open one day?
“You never know,” he said.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. Donovan Ferreira is flanked by Jordan Thompson and Joe Root after bowling Worcestershire out for 101 at Headingley on Thursday evening.
“Cricket is a crazy game. For me, if someone needs me to open and I do well there, you never know where life can take you.
“That’s why I keep bowling, keep being a wicketkeeper, keep batting, because it gives you the best opportunity to get on the park and play.”
As indicated, Ferreira – a two-time T20 international – is an all-rounder in every sense of the word. He bats with power to burn, he keeps wickets, which he is doing for Yorkshire, he can bowl off-spin and he’s a live-wire in the field.
“You want to be a bit of a nightmare to coaches – they can’t leave you out because you’re giving three or four skills,” he said, of his impressive versatility.
“You need to keep adding to your little basket.”
Ferreira was signed following some impressive displays at home with the Joburg Super Kings in the SAT20 competition, but he has had a few useful overseas experiences such as the IPL, where he played two matches for Rajasthan.
He has so far hit four fifties in 57 career appearances in this format, with his strike-rate of just over 152 catching the eye.
His time with Yorkshire will see him gain more valuable game time, a major plus for an emerging player who is also staying in England to play in the Hundred for Oval Invincibles.
Picture by Sajjad Hussain. AFP via Getty Images. Donovan Ferreira learnt a lot from Joe Buttler at the recent IPL.
“For any cricketer, playing a lot of cricket is important,” he continued.
“Fortunately for me I’m able now to play in different countries, which is allowing me to play on different surfaces and face different types of bowlers, experience different weather conditions. It’s kind of adding to your repertoire, adding to your armoury.
“The cricket over here looks competitive, and the crowds are amazing.
“The weather is a bit of a change for me. Coming from India, it was quite hot. Here, it’s a bit cooler. I prefer that. Our winters back home in South Africa are very similar to this.”
Having been given the lowdown by Kohler-Cadmore and then welcomed by his team-mates at Yorkshire, Ferreira described it as a “dream” start.
“It’s been so smooth – it feels like a home,” he said. “If that’s the start, then it’s only going to get better and relationships are going to last for a long time.
“We’re touring together for a couple of days, so it’s about spending as much time together and getting to know the lads as much as possible because I feel like the team culture and being together as a team – enjoying each other’s company – is important.
“You could see that in my first game – everyone was so happy for each other.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. Donovan Ferreira signs autographs for fans after a debut win against Worcestershire at Headingley on Thursday.
“Like I say, being over here has felt like a family and people have accepted me. That helps as an overseas pro because it can get lonely being away from family, being away from conditions that you know.”
Ferreira kept nicely on debut and claimed an early stumping, but he didn’t bat given Yorkshire’s straightforward pursuit of 102 in beating Worcestershire.
He batted in the seven-wicket defeat against Leicestershire at Grace Road last night and hit a bright 26 off 18 balls with three fours and a six, giving Yorkshire fans an idea of what to expect.
“I’m going to try and play an explosive brand of cricket, try and take the game forward and be positive,” he said. “Hopefully I can contribute towards the team and to them winning.
“That’s the most important part – to put the team first and not really worry about your own stats and your own strike-rates.
“If I bat well and bring to the table what I can offer, I think we’re going to do well this season.
“It’s special sharing a changing room with people like Malan, Shan, Rooty. Meeting Adam. Seeing how he batted (against Worcestershire, 55 not out) was great.
“That just gives me a lot of joy because hopefully they can set up the game nicely for me to come in at the end and play an explosive brand.
Picture by Arun Sankar. AFP via Getty Images. Donovan Ferreira is a true all-rounder – seen here playing for Rajasthan Royals.
“That’s the message Ottis has given me, to express myself and come over and be who I am. That’s the way I play the game. If I come off, then hopefully we’ll win the match. It’s reassuring to have the coach backing you from the start.
“You just have to back yourself as a cricketer.
“Whatever happens, happens.
“Sometimes you’re going to fail, sometimes you will succeed. But you put the odds in your favour if you give your all.”
Of course, Ferreira could well have been in the Caribbean and USA with South Africa at the T20 World Cup. But he had no complaints in missing out on selection.
He added: “To be fair, I think South Africa has picked the best T20 squad.
“If I’d performed a bit better, then you’d be in the squad. You can’t really be disappointed if you didn’t actually put the results on the field. There’s other guys who did better than me.
“It’s just motivated me to do better.
Picture by Will Palmer/SWpix.com. David Willey faces his former side tomorrow.
“It’s nice to get on the park and play a lot of games (with Yorkshire).
“It’s a beautiful game, and each day is a new challenge. All you can ask for is the opportunity to express yourself.”
Northamptonshire, captained by ex-Viking David Willey, have won two from two at the start of the North Group. They beat Derbyshire at home on Thursday and Nottinghamshire away last night.
They have signed South African opening batter Matthew Breetzke and Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza as their overseas players alongside ex-England all-rounder Ravi Bopara. All three men have contributed so far for the 2013 and 2016 champions.
This will be the second game of a T20 double header, with the Northern Diamonds women facing Sunrisers at 11.30am in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.
