Lions wicketkeeper-batsman Connor Esterhuizen says the R3.2-million he was bought for at the SA20 auction won’t change who he is.
The 23-year-old was signed by the Pretoria Capitals at last month’s auction ahead of the fourth season of the tournament, which starts on Boxing Day.
Esterhuizen, who joins the Capitals from defending champions MI Cape Town, said he was grateful for the opportunity but remains grounded.
“I wouldn’t say it’s changed things for me. I’m really privileged and grateful to be in a position like this where I do what I love for a living,” he told SportsBoom.co.za.
“It is something I’ve wanted to do from when I was a toddler, and earn a good living and get picked up for that kind of money. I’m truly blessed.”
Esterhuizen has already shown his quality this season, scoring 175 in a four-day match against Western Province at Newlands to help his team seal an innings victory.
He admitted that any pressure he felt came from within rather than from the size of his price tag.
“I wouldn’t say there was more pressure on me because of the auction, rather because of my performances in red-ball cricket over the past two seasons,” he explained.
“That was more the pressure – to put in a big performance in the format I may not have performed up to my capability in. It is still a work in progress, and I’m constantly trying to figure it out and improve.
“Regardless of money or auctions, I always put pressure on myself to perform because I have such high standards for myself and I know where I want to be and what I want to achieve.”
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