Batting all-rounder discusses cricket, fatherhood and his off-field life

WITH the SA20 tournament kicking off this December, Sunrisers Eastern Cape batting all-rounder Patrick Kruger is easing into the season with a mindset that's equal parts hungry and grounded.

- BERNELEE VOLLMER

"I'm going into the tournament with a hungry but calm mindset," he says, already sounding like a man who knows what he wants from the months ahead.

For him, it's all about staying present, trusting the graft he's already put in, and contributing wherever he can, whether that's runs on the board, energy in the field or leadership in the cloakroom.

This season, Kruger is putting extra focus on "decision-making under pressure," a skill he believes can shift the flow of any match.

Pressure moments in cricket can force quick calls, reading a bowler's plan, choosing whether to take a risky run, or adjusting a field setup in seconds. Making the right choice can steady the innings or keep momentum alive.

His pre-match rituals are straightforward and surprisingly peaceful.