10 Facts about David Wiese: The big Proteas all-rounder

David Wiese is quintessentially the ‘Jack of all trades’ when it comes to cricket. A towering individual, he is definitely someone you wouldn’t want to face in a ring. Tipped by many to succeed recently retired Jacques Kallis, Wiese hasn’t had the best of opportunities despite his obvious talent. However, given the fact that he entered the scene a bit later than a few others, Wiese’s rise to the top has been somewhat unprecedented. That said, here are a few compelling facts on David Wiese on his 31st birthday.

1. Birth:

David Wiese was born on the 18th of May 1981 at Roodepoort, Transvaal Province, South Africa.

2. A limited overs specialist:

His ability to change the pace and variety and cameos with the bat has seen him become a limited overs specialist in the eyes of the South African selectors.

3. A cover for Jacques Kallis:

In South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2013, Wiese was brought in to cover for the ageing and unfit Jacques Kallis. Although he replaced Kallis to make an appearance in the T20s, his rather lifeless performance saw him sent back home early. Despite this, many have tipped Wiese to follow in the shoes of Kallis.

4. IPL career with RCB:

David Wiese is extremely well known in the Indian Premier League. He was drafted into the Royal Challengers Bangalore side for US$460,000. His inaugural season in the IPL saw him pick up 16 wickets, the fourth highest in the RCB ranks. His big-hitting has also seen him become a regular in the side.

5. The Wiese-Watson catch:

In the match against the Delhi Daredevils at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, David Wiese, and Shane Watson exhibited the definition of teamwork when they took a catch along the boundary ropes to dismiss Shreyas Iyer.

As well documented, a journalist wrote: “Shreyas Iyer mistimed a lofted straight drive and Shane Watson hurtled after it from mid-on. He was sprinting full-tilt, even as the ball was descending over his shoulder. He somehow managed to use his reach to catch the ball, but the momentum was carrying him too close to the boundary. It was time for a split-second decision. Aware that David Wiese was running towards him from mid-off, Watson flicked the ball back just as he was about to topple over the advertising skirting. Wiese had to dive full-length to his right to grab the ball, and picked it up inches from the ground and a hair’s breadth from the boundary.”

6. A variety seamer:

As mentioned earlier, David Wiese is a bag full of tricks while he bowls. He has a terrific slower delivery as well as a slower bouncer that skids off the surface. He has accounted for many wickets in the past through his slower deliveries. He can also clock up to a pace in the high 130s as well, rendering him as a near complete bowler. His death bowling is, at times, second to none.

7. Sixes in Hong Kong:

Wiese represented South Africa in the 2009 edition of the Hong Kong Super Sixes. He ended the tournament as the highest wicket-taker.

8. 5/23 v West Indies:

Perhaps Wiese’s best moment in his cricketing career came against the West Indies at Kingsmead, Durban in the 3rd T20I of the 3-match series. Apart from smashing an invaluable 21 off just 16 deliveries, Wiese chimed in with a virtuoso performance with the ball, picking up five West Indian wickets as he did. Lendl Simmons, Marlon Samuels, Darren Sammy, Carlos Brathwaite and Dwayne Bravo were his scalps on a memorable day.

9. T20I debut:

Wiese made his T20 debut against Sri Lanka in the fall of 2013. Although he batted just the two deliveries and bowled just the one over, the Proteas secured a slender 12-run win. He has played in 20 T20Is since then.

10. ODI debut:

Wiese made his ODI debut against a rough ‘n’ tough New Zealand side at Supersport Park in Centurion. In somewhat of a vague similarity with his T20I debut, the South Africans secured a 20-run win. Once again, he made little or no impact with either bat or ball.