Marco Jansen has performed a pivotal position in South Africa’s journey to their maiden ICC World Check Championship (WTC) Closing, set to start on June 11 at Lord’s in opposition to reigning champions Australia. Famend for his towering peak, steep bounce, and skill to generate motion, the left-arm pacer has been particularly impactful all through the continued WTC 2023-25 cycle.
IPL exit to prioritize nationwide obligation for South Africa
Although Jansen featured in solely six Checks, his impression was quick and emphatic, claiming 29 wickets at a deadly strike price of 33.17. Amongst bowlers with 29 or extra scalps on this WTC version, solely Jasprit Bumrah of India had a greater strike price, underscoring Jansen’s efficiency in red-ball cricket. Jansen’s departure from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 playoffs was one of many largest speaking factors forward of the ultimate phases of the event.
With Cricket South Africa prioritizing preparation for the WTC Closing, all Check-bound gamers have been recalled earlier than the league’s knockout section. This included Jansen, who had been instrumental for the Punjab Kings all through the marketing campaign. He ended the event with 16 wickets in 14 matches, making him the second-highest wicket-taker for the franchise. His position within the center and dying overs was particularly vital for a facet that was chasing its first-ever IPL title. His absence was deeply felt in Punjab’s marketing campaign, which narrowly fell brief within the summit conflict.
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Ricky Ponting’s cheeky farewell to Jansen forward of WTC 2025 in opposition to Australia
Earlier than he flew out to affix the South African squad in London, Jansen shared a humorous but heartfelt trade with Ricky Ponting, the top coach of Punjab Kings. The previous Australian captain, now a revered teaching determine, had a light-hearted send-off message for his rising South African star. “Earlier than I left, he simply stated ‘good luck, I hope you do effectively, however I hope you lose,” Jansen stated in an interview with ICC Digital, laughing on the competitiveness and camaraderie within the remark.
Greater than only a coach, Ponting served as a mentor to Jansen throughout IPL 2025. The younger quick bowler credited Ponting for instilling a powerful psychological framework that helped him deal with high-pressure conditions. He famous how Ponting continuously emphasised potential and alternative fairly than worry or failure, a mindset shift that deeply resonated with the 25-year-old.
“I learnt lots from him, particularly from a psychological perspective. He’s all the time constructive, and he all the time sees the good things as a substitute of the unhealthy stuff, if it is smart. And I believe that’s why he’s a legend of the sport, since you all the time lean in direction of what may occur as a substitute of what may go unsuitable. For me personally within the IPL, he’s helped lots in that regard, as a result of he all the time reminds you what may very well be, what you are able to do and what may occur as a substitute of what couldn’t occur,” Jansen concluded.
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