Dillon du Preez is the assistant coach of the South African women’s cricket team. He is one of the top cricket coaches in the world right now. Cricket South Africa appointed him as the assistant coach for the women’s team in September 2020. Since then, the retired fast bowler has done an excellent job in the coaching staff.
Many IPL fans would remember that Dillon du Preez represented the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the second edition of the league. He played two matches for the team and picked up four wickets. The South African pacer opened his account with the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar, who is considered the God of Cricket. He also took the wickets of Ajinkya Rahane, JP Duminy and MS Dhoni during his RCB stint.
In an exclusive interview with Swagcricket.com, Dillon du Preez spoke at length about various topics.
Here are the excerpts from Interview with Dillon du Preez:
Q. Hey Dillon! How have you been doing? How was the year 2021 for you?
Dillon du Preez: I’m doing great. 2021 has been an incredible year for us as a team. We won both series against Pakistan in South Africa, both series in India and won the ODI series against West Indies in Antigua, so no complaints there.
Q. How has your experience been of working as assistant coach of South Africa women’s team?
Dillon du Preez: So far it’s been amazing. As a coach, being part of such a professional and talented group of players and staff is a dream come true.
Q. How much has the South African women’s team improved over the last few years?
Dillon du Preez: If you compare the team from 2015 to where they are now, there is a big difference in how they play the game, how they approach the game and I think overall they matured as a team and that is one of the reasons why we had such a successful 2021.
Q. You played 92 first-class matches in your domestic career. What was the most memorable moment of your first-class career?
Dillon du Preez: I think a few that stood out for me was, 1. Obviously my debut game against the West Indies, 2. My 300th wicket and 3. my first 10 wickets in a match.
Q. Let’s turn the clock back to 2009. You played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL that year and picked up the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar. How did you feel after taking that big wicket against Mumbai Indians?
Dillon du Preez: I was already in shock because that was my debut game for RCB. When I saw that ball fly from the edge of Sachin’s bat to slip. WOW! it’s a feeling that I can’t really explain. I don’t know if it was because I got the legend caught behind or because I just got my first wicket for RCB, but it was a great feeling being out there playing for RCB. It is still my number 1 team in the IPL (Laughs).
Q. How was your experience spending time with Rahul Dravid?
Dillon du Preez: Being in the changeroom of RCB definitely changed my life. I remember sitting there in the corner to my right I had Dravid and to my left Kumble was sitting. When I looked in front of me I saw Pietersen, Kallis, Boucher, Taylor, Virat and the 2 Kumar’s (Praveen and Bhuvneshwar). I remember thinking…. What the hell am I doing here. You can’t buy the experience in that changeroom.
Q. A young Virat Kohli was also a part of that squad. What was your first impression of him?
Dillon du Preez: Virat was still a youngster in 2009, didn’t really know him that well, but from Day 1 you could see this guy can play. I remember Ray Jennings tell Virat he will be the next Indian captain, What a vision! Till today he is one of my favourites to watch.
Q. You also played in CLT20 2010 semifinal against CSK. Share your experience of playing that game.
Dillon du Preez: Vague memories against Chennai in the champions league, but I remember running in bowling to M.S (Dhoni) thinking, Dillon please don’t miss your yorker (Laughs). With the ball starting to reverse at Kingsmead under the lights, he luckily missed one and got him bowled.
Q. Speaking of Indian players, India and South Africa are currently playing a bilateral series. Which players from both teams have impressed you the most?
Dillon du Preez: Playing India is always a tough series for Proteas. We did really well to come back after losing the first Test to winning the series 2-1. Great effort from the boys and we are very proud of them. There was a few. A few players that impressed was definitely Marco Jansen, reminds me of Morne Morkel. Tall and bowling with some heat, obviously just left arm (Laughs). Another player is Thakur was also nice to watch, you get the feeling he gives you a 110% every time he runs in to bowl.
Q. What is your new year’s resolution?
Dillon du Preez: I don’t really have a new year’s resolution, but man it would be nice to get off the plain in April with the Women’s World Cup trophy. We definitely have the team to achieve it, but lets wait and see. We can chat in April again (Laughs).
