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Former Proteas star Abbott joins Titans for remainder of season
"He will add value in this team and he's bringing a lot of experience," Titans coach Mandla Mashimbyi enthused.
Former Proteas and Dolphins bowler Kyle Abbott has joined the Titans for the rest of the season. Picture: Getty Images
The Titans have pulled off a spectacular coup, by securing the services of former Proteas fast bowler Kyle Abbott for the rest of the current season.
The 33-year-old Abbott has linked up with his new teammates ahead of the Momentum One-Day Cup campaign, which starts on Saturday.
Abbott was back home in Durban when the Titans idea popped up, and he is relishing being back on the field of play.
“2020 was a tough year,” said the fast bowler. “I didn’t play for nearly 12 months between games, so I was sitting pretty comfortable in Durban doing my fishing,” he chuckled.
An urge to get out of his comfort zone – and get back to enticing batsmen to nibble at his bait – saw him eventually agree a deal to join a franchise he has always admired.
“Having chatted to a few people and having played against the Titans in the past, it’s a well run unit. I felt it would be a perfect fit for me right now,” the former Dolphins star explained.
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Having played for South Africa, Hampshire as well as numerous gigs around the T20 world – including the Indian Premier League – Abbott comes with a wealth of experience.
“He will add value in this team and he’s bringing a lot of experience,” Titans coach Mandla Mashimbyi enthused.
“He will help the younger guys to actually grow and be in a better space from bowling point of view. It’s actually encouraging as a bowler, knowing that you are next to somebody that has done it,” Mashimbyi continued about his new signing.
“It just gives you a level of comfort, knowing that you can actually go and ask what to do in pressure situations. To have somebody like him is a no-brainer.”
As fate would have it, the Titans open the MODC campaign on Saturday, against Abbott’s former employers, the Dolphins.
The 50-over competition is operating in a bio-bubble in Potchefstroom, and the Titans face a busy start. The Dolphins affair on Saturday is quickly followed by a clash against the Knights on Monday.
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