Petersen impresses for Maties, set for big things
Maties were hoping for big things from Petersen, who averaged 48.25 for Boland in the last first-class season, with four centuries including a mammoth 225, and he scored 30 off 35 balls to repair the damage after Stellenbosch University were in early trouble on three for two.
Petersen also scored 187 for Boland in 2012 in his first year of first-class cricket and has been under scrutiny by the Cape Cobras selectors, with the franchise now offering him a contract for next season.
A small, slightly built 20-year-old, Petersen has a top-class technique and a silky touch, a batsman who prefers to stroke the ball rather than bash it.
He also scored four centuries for Maties in the season just ended but is rather nonplussed by his great summer.
“I don’t really know what came right, things just went my way. I know my strengths, but I work hard on my weaknesses. I’ve had a big improvement in converting scores now, most of the time, if I get 50 I’ll go big,” Petersen says.
The Cobras deal is obviously exciting for the Paarl product and he says he is determined to actually make his debut for the franchise next season.
“My goal is to get game-time. I have to keep performing and push for a spot,” Petersen says.
Given his slender build, JP Duminy is probably an obvious choice of role-model for Petersen, who says he really looks up to the Proteas left-hander.
He is also extremely grateful for the efforts of his father, Dirkie, and the thousands of throw-downs he has given him.
A contemporary of former SA U19 paceman Rabian Engelbrecht at New Orleans Secondary School, Petersen is one of the brightest young talents of the Winelands and the importance of university cricket in his development cannot be underestimated.
http://www.redbullcampuscricket.com/southafrica/latest/stand-out-players-keegan-petersen/