I want to make an impact in the Test arena: Phehlukwayo

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Johannesburg, June 26 (IANS) South Africa all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo wants to play Test cricket on a regular basis and is keen on making an impact in the longest format of the game.

"I want to make an impact in the Test arena; it's the biggest and hardest place to play. For any cricketer, if you're playing Test cricket, it's the ultimate game. I have 4 Test matches. If I could possibly go to 100, that'll be nice," Phehlukwayo told 'Sport24' in a Zoom interview.

"I predominantly play white-ball cricket and there's the T20 World Cup coming up, so I've been mainly focussed on trying to perform in the white-ball teams and to be consistent," said Phehlukwayo.

"The Test team is definitely a space where I want to be. I want to challenge myself, I want to compete in that space for as long as possible or for long as the team needs me."

Phehlukwayo feels he needs to give himself a better opportunity with the bat at times.

"Personally I feel like I am a genuine all-rounder. I probably need to give myself a better opportunity with the bat at times, but that also comes with age," he said.

"As a young cricketer coming in, your bowling always outshines your batting and the older you get you'll see the batting starting to pick up."

He added that the COVID-19 enforced break from the game has provided him with a perfect opportunity to work on his body which will help him prolong his career.

"One of my biggest motivations is to try and get better and stronger," Phehlukwayo said.

"If I can get 10% or 5% better, it'll go a long way and it'll also prolong my career. This lockdown has been the perfect opportunity to work on myself, to work on my fitness and on things outside of cricket," added the 24-year old.

--IANS

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