How Robbie P helped fast-track Senuran Muthusamy's development for Proteas benefit

Proteas all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy lauded the influence that his domestic coach and former Proteas all-rounder Robin Peterson has had on his international career.

Muthusamy moved down to the Eastern Cape to join the Warriors, a side coached by Peterson himself, as the all-rounder looked to further develop his skills to stand a better chance of breaking into the national set-up.

Though Muthusamy made his Test debut six years ago, he just hasn't been consistently getting game time.

However, after spending a season with Peterson's Warriors in Gqeberha, Muthusamy finds himself now an all-format player, having received both his ODI and T20I caps as a Warriors player.

With Peterson having been a spin-bowling all-rounder himself during his playing days, Muthusamy has found just the right coach to help him get to the level required for him to be a consistent pick in the Proteas.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Muthusamy explained how Peterson has influenced his life, on and off the field.

"It's been fantastic (working with Peterson), and I'm really grateful that I was able to move across to the Warriors and that he was still the coach because, I mean, he's a well-sought-after coach, you know, globally now, with him winning the SA20 and the major league in New York a couple of years back," Muthusamy told the media.

"He's been phenomenal. He is a really wise man, not just with cricket, but generally, with the off-field stuff. It's been fantastic to learn from him and to hear his thoughts around the game, around conditions, around the art that we do.

"We're very similar in the all-around role. He played that role for many years in white-ball and red-ball cricket for South Africa. So, it's been fantastic for me to learn from him and to just gather information and try to work things out and find a way for myself. 

"We've got an awesome understanding, so it's an open line to him just to bounce ideas off.  Also to just hear the way or to see what he's thinking in certain conditions and that sort of thing. 

"So, I think to have someone of his stature and his expertise in our cricket structure in South Africa is awesome, and long may that continue."

Muthusamy earned his T20I debut in Harare earlier this week during South Africa's 21-run loss to New Zealand.

Going into the side's next fixture of the ongoing Tri-Series, against hosts Zimbabwe, Muthusamy emphasised that the Proteas are looking to bounce back with a victory.

"The obvious thing is to win. That's most certainly at the forefront of our thinking. We don't look too far ahead. The most important game is the next game, which is on Sunday," he said.

"So, it's just to be well prepared for that and to do our best with whichever 11 and whichever combinations get the opportunity to execute their skills. We're looking forward to the next one."

South Africa is scheduled to play Zimbabwe on tomorrow 1pm SAST in Harare.