Meet Soshanguve sensation Aaron Phangiso
Phangiso talks about his long journey from being overlooked at the Titans and how being at the Lions improved his game.
Eliot Mahlase
Aaron Phangiso is a bizhub Highveld Lions and Proteas player who specialises in spin bowling. In the past four years, Phangiso has been one of the country’s most economical and successful spin bowler.
On Wednesday, during the eKasi challenge, he reminisced about some of the moments that inspired him to become a professional cricket player. Former players like Makhaya Ntini and Mark Boucher were players he looked up to as they came to his township back in the day.
“I actually started playing soccer before I found my love for cricket. It was Hero Ramogale who discovered me at the age of 12, he told me I was a good cricket player. He was my vice principal at Hlamaganyo Primary School at the time. He has remained my mentor since then. I got a cricket scholarship when I moved to the Christian Brothers College.”
After finishing high school, Phangiso joined the Northerns academy cricket programme in 2004 and a year later he was promoted to the National Academy.
The 31-year-old was part of the South Africa u.19 team. They were unbeaten on their England tour in 2003. During that time, he met his future Proteas teammates – Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, AB de Villiers and Vernon Philander.
Phangiso joined the Unlimited Titans in 2005 but says he didn’t really enjoy his time in Pretoria.
“I got a contract at the Titans after spending a year at the national academy. I didn’t enjoy it at the Titans because I didn’t get many opportunities, even though I was good enough to feature in every game. I don’t want to remember those two years,” he said.
Joining the Lions in 2008 however, was a match made in heaven as he managed to find spark and form.
“I felt at home there. They gave me an opportunity to prove myself and I grabbed it with both hands. I now enjoy my time here. Working with my captain Thami Tsolekile has made things easier,” he said.
Phangiso’s biggest breakthrough was his debut for the Proteas in 2012 in a Twenty20 match against New Zealand. One of his biggest achievements, which eventually led to him being called up the national set-up, was dismissing Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar in the T20 Champions League.
“Playing for the Proteas is the biggest achievement which I’m always grateful for. I just hope I’ll keep getting opportunities to represent my country.”
Phangiso speaks highly of his Proteas teammates.
“We have a great bunch of good guys who are always supportive. It’s a good experience for me to be around some of the best players in the world.”
Family is the most important thing to him. Whenever he gets time, he relaxes with his friends and watches his favourite team Kaizer Chiefs play football.
“I would like to encourage every kid that wants to be a professional cricketer to work hard and be disciplined. The biggest thing they need to do is to stay patient when the going gets tough because in the end, patience pays off,” he said.
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