A three-year absence in which he suffered a mental breakdown because he wasn’t being picked for the Proteas, finally ended for George Linde on Wednesday when he was recalled to the Proteas side for next week’s three T20 Internationals against Pakistan.
Linde had lost all trust in Cricket SA’s selection policy when he was omitted from the squads for the T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022, describing the reasons he’d been given in 2021 as “a joke”.
He last played for the national team in an ODI against Sri Lanka in September 2021. He turned down a call-up for a subsequent Test in New Zealand in February 2022, citing his difficulty at living in “bio bubbles”, a decision which seemed to affect further involvement with the Proteas.
Linde has said previously he struggled mentally for more than a year before rekindling a love for the game while playing for English county Kent. Subsequent good seasons for Western Province have led to increased calls for him to be considered nationally once more again.
Proteas limited-overs coach Rob Walter said on Tuesday that what had happened with Linde previously had nothing to do with him, and he was only interested in the 33-year-old’s skill set.
“He has the attributes we needed, given the balance of the side,” Walter said.
‘Solid record’
“Normally the number seven spot is filled by a seaming all-rounder, but with the absence and injuries of a few players we needed to look to a spinning all-rounder. George has stood out domestically this year. He’s got a solid record, he’s been playing well recently, especially that power game at the back end of the innings.”
Linde has stated the communication from Walter and Test counterpart Shukri Conrad is vastly improved from what was in place when he last played for the Proteas.
That is one of the reasons the door was never shut on Anrich Nortjé, who earlier this year opted out of accepting a national contract but was still picked for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. Nortjé is back in the Proteas squad for the Pakistan series, with Walter saying that depending on form he will also be considered for the Champions Trophy next February.
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