The big interview: Church pro Niel Bredenkamp

10:56am Sunday 18th May 2008

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NIEL Bredenkamp has stepped out of his comfort zone padding up at Church's West End.

And just six weeks into his first ever stint in England, the young South African all-rounder could be forgiven for contemplating a quick return ticket.

Barring a determined 94 against Haslingden, Bredenkamp has so far struggled to match up to his very own high expectations.

But the confident 20-year-old is made of sterner stuff - and adapting to East Lancashire's unique conditions is all part of the necessary learning process.

"I'm quickly getting used to the conditions as I go along," said Bredenkamp. "Where I come from, we have the flattest wickets on Earth.

"It's much different here. But it's my first time in England and I've already worked a lot on my patience.

"A big part of coming here was to work on my own game. But, apart from being on my own, I've really settled in and the guys have been good to me."

It can be a high-risk policy for Lancashire League clubs to sign young professionals, but Bredenkamp came very highly recommended to Church officials.

Club chairman, Don Holt, even travelled over to South Africa to watch the talented right-hander in action before snapping him up.

Proteas Test ace Charl Langeveldt and fellow countryman Craig Norris - both former paid men at Colne - are big admirers.

Jacques Faul, chief executive of Bredenkamp's club North West, heaped further praise, by hoping the youngster could step into the shoes of South African great Jacques Kallis within three years.

Asked about the Kallis comparison, Bredenkamp laughed: "I was asked about that the other night.

"When I came over here, it was the first time I'd heard about it.

"I don't know what to make of it but Jacques Faul has backed me quite a lot over the last few years.

"I'm not sure. What a player Jacques Kallis is though - he's the best."

Building on an already promising career with North West, Bredenkamp's next target is a permanent starting place for the Highveld Lions, playing regularly in South Africa's SuperSport Series first class competition and MTN Domestic Championship.

Only then, he says, would he be justified on knocking on the door for South Africa.

It remains Bredenkamp's dream to one day represent his country, but he remains philosophical while he continues to learn his trade.

"I don't really want to look that high yet," he added. "I'm taking things step by step at the moment.

"At the moment, I'm just working hard to get into the Lions, and then perhaps getting into South Africa A' or their emerging squad.

"But there's still some way to go for that to happen.

"I was selected to go to the South African National Acadamy this year, but that was after I'd signed a contract with Church.

"I decided to come here instead and maybe I'll get selected again next year.

"The guys that get called up are mostly 25 or 26. There's no age limit, so my time may come again.

"But I'd never been involved in a South African squad before. It was nice to get called up."

For the time being, Bredenkamp is concentrating on guiding Church up the Lancashire League table after a stop-start 2008 campaign.

But the Potchesfroom-born all-rounder knows that, more than 6,000 miles away, team selectors are closely monitoring his progress with Phil Gilrane's side.

He said: "I believe that if I'm doing well personally, it will help Church out a lot.

"I'm just trying do well in general, get some good scores and get a good average.

"I've not set any targets. It's my first year, and people have tended to struggle a little in their first year.

"But I'm looking to do well because they are looking at me back home, keeping a look at my scores."

Bredenkamp has also proved a useful seamer for Church this season, and has quickly progressed to opening the attack.

The right-armer is more than relishing the role after earning limited opportunities with the ball in his homeland.

But a persistent sore back, resulting from a car crash in 2005, has been partly responsible for curtailing his chances.

"I'm really enjoying that part of my game again," explained Bredenkamp. "I was a pretty decent bowler at school, but then I hurt my spine.

"It came from a car crash a couple of years back.

"A friend was driving and I was in the front passenger seat. It was very wet and there was a water clog in the road.

"The car wheels locked and we went over a bridge. Not a very high one - but about four or five metres.

"I went to hospital, but was only there for a couple of hours. They put me in a neck brace and that came off a week later.

"Everything was okay, but it hurt my spine when I bowled. The pain was in the middle of my back.

"It still bothers me a little, but it's stiffness rather than painful.

"It will go eventually but, at the moment, I have to rest quite a bit after games."