If you're good enough, you're old enough, the old saying goes, and neither Dewald Brevis nor Tristan Stubbs would be the youngest players to make their international debuts. Still, there is some pushback against the two youngsters getting high-level opportunities so early in their careers.
Brevis was an early pick at the IPL auction for the Mumbai Indians and despite the franchise struggling this term he has been a standout.
Stubbs will now join him at Mumbai having jetted out after rushing back from Harare where he was taking part in South Africa A’s ongoing bilateral series against their counterparts from across the Limpopo.
At 21-years-old Stubbs is the elder of the two with his career arc only recently hitting a steep upward climb after a few years in the age-group system at the Warriors.
Both players could see T20 cricket greatly accelerate their path to the international scene.
The power of @BrevisDewald 💖 pic.twitter.com/DJiV5gC3AA
— Ankit Chaudhari (@Ankit45_) May 4, 2022
Australia and England’s picky nature when it comes to playing ball with the IPL has made it increasingly attractive for franchises to seek value in picking up South African youngsters early.
The modern cricketer is probably better prepared for T20 cricket than any other format with shorter games preferred at schoolboy level anyway and more and more outside T20 events drawing in young players.
Stubbs has been well-prepared for his next phase even if he is elevated at a very young age but it seems that Brevis’ progress is a runaway train that now cannot be halted.
It would be surprising if both players aren’t included in white-ball Proteas squads in the next year or so.
First, Dewald Brevis. Now, Tristan Stubbs - Mumbai Indians picking future stars of South Africa.pic.twitter.com/Fq5J8NVZ0X
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 5, 2022
Brevis has shown that he can turn matches in the IPL and just needs time out in the middle at the highest level to progress.
Stubbs is somebody who already cuts an impressive figure at the crease and together with Brevis would provide the kind of explosive batting that the Proteas T20 side could really use.
Stubbs and Brevis should be on the Proteas white-ball tour to India in June.
