Dubai,
Desert Vipers Head Coach James Foster has congratulated Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga and West Indies middle-order batter Sherfane Rutherford for their inclusion in the ICC One-Day International (ODI) Team of the year.
“It really does fill me with a huge amount of pride that these two wonderful players who are a part of our franchise here and have been an integral part over the last two-and-a-half seasons (have been included in the ICC ODI team of the year),” said Foster.
“It is great to see because we know they are world-class players, but they are also world-class individuals. And for me, and as a franchise, it is not necessarily just what they do on the field, it is also off the field.
“I know their numbers have been incredible in 2024, hence the reason they have been named in the Team of the Year. But it is also their presence around the group and passing on their knowledge with their humour as well. Chuck that into a pot and it has been great to see.”
Both Sherfane and Wanindu have been part of the Vipers set-up since the inaugural season of the DP World ILT20.
Speaking about Sherfane Rutherford, James Foster said he was in awe of the player’s efforts.
“It is often some of the toughest times to bat (in the middle order),” he said. “You are having to adapt to what has happened in front of you already. Sometimes you have got to play the situation where you are going to have to be very smart and maybe the team are not at a score that you are hoping for, or the score is going well and you have to press the accelerator really quickly to continue that.
“So, I am absolutely delighted for Sherfane to get into that format (ODIs) and make such a big impact. Some of the innings he has played for us, and also the West Indies in that slightly longer format, have been so destructive.