SA fast bowler Andile Phehlukwayo enjoys thriving under pressure

Fast bowler Andile Phehlukwayo, who is emerging as one of the adept white-ball performers for South Africa, says he enjoys thriving under pressure.

The 22-year-old's ability to bowl accurate slower balls at will combined with a deceptive yorker makes him a rather challenging prospect for batsmen.

"I always land up in those situations, I really enjoy them," ICC quoted Phehlukwayo, as saying after conceding only seven off the final over in the second T20I against Pakistan to help close out the series with a game to spare.

Phehlukwayo was exposed to high-pressure situations by then Dolphins coach Lance Klusener while playing for them in domestic cricket. He pointed out that he is getting only better. "At the Dolphins, I was put into those positions a lot when Lance (Klusener) was there and so you learn to take responsibility and ownership."

"I have learned a lot. There are aspects of my game that need to improve. The player I was three years ago and the player I am now, I guess a lot of the mental stuff is different, or better," Phehlukwayo said.

"Every player wants to win big moments. It won't always go your way, but the more often you are in those situations, the more you will get it right. If you train hard and get the basics right, then more often than not it will go your way," he said.

Eyeing at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Phehlukwayo said: "It is really crucial. Those types of moments will happen in the World Cup... It is good when we win in these situations, to remember that feeling, but even if we do not, we need to learn from that, get back in the dressing room and debate what went wrong or right."

The much-awaited ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is scheduled from May 30 to July 14 in England and Wales.