Wiaan Mulder

A genuine seam-bowling allrounder at a time when specialist skills were being preferred on the South African circuit, Wiaan Mulder was primed for big things from a young age. He played provincial age-group cricket from the Under-13s, was South Africa's leading wicket-taker at the 2016 Under-19 World Cup and made his first-class debut while still at school, arriving at the Wanderers in his St Stithians uniform and with his homework in tow.

Mulder made his ODI debut at the age of 19, against Bangladesh, and made 10 appearances between 2017 and 2019 but failed to establish himself in that side. Instead he earned his first Test cap in 2019 and was considered more of a red-ball prospect, enhanced by his regular appearances on the county circuit. Mulder played for Kent in 2019 and for Leicestershire from 2022. He was Leicestershire's second-highest run-scorer in 2022, averaging a shave under 50, and their third-highest wicket-taker in 2023.

In essence, his performances in those two years, if put together, demonstrate the kind of potential he has when both aspects of his game are going well. South Africa have continued to invest in Mulder and he has been around national squads, across formats, as they seek to find space for an allrounder.
Firdose Moonda