Western cape academy

Former South Africa: Former South Africa cricketer Paul Adams has credited Kieron Pollard for playing a decisive role in shaping George Linde’s self-belief, revealing how the West Indies all-rounder “took him under his wing” during the formative years of his T20 career.

Reflecting on Linde’s journey from a quiet, uncertain youngster to a seasoned global T20 professional, Adams—who worked closely with him from his Western Cape Academy days through to the Cape Cobras setup—said the signs were always there, even if confidence wasn’t.

“From the outset, we all saw a resemblance to (former Proteas spinner) Claude Henderson,” Adams told SA20. “He was in the Academy with me, and when I got the Cobras' role, we wanted to play another spinner, but one who was always contributing with the bat.