Wayne Parnell is relishing the prospect of his second T20 finals day in the Vitality Blast – and putting his vast experience in the short format of the game to good use with Worcestershire Rapids.
The South African all-rounder was part of the Kent side which reached the semi-finals in the 2009 competition when beaten by Somerset.
Since then he has wracked up 150 plus appearances in all T20 cricket around the world including two stints in the IPL.
Now the 29-year-old is looking to pass on that knowledge to the Rapids as they gear up for their first ever appearance at finals day – with a semi-final on the horizon against Lancashire Lightning.
Parnell has played his part in achieving that goal with a series of impressive performances with the ball and weighing in with some useful late runs.
He said: “In 2009 the finals day came in my first season of county cricket and I didn’t know what the whole finals thing was about.
“We lost to Somerset in the semi-final when Marcus Trescothick and James Hildreth played very well.
“But, getting there, I could sense it was a big day and, as a 19-year-old, having played a couple of international games, I was used to the crowd.
“It is a little bit different because everyone is not supporting the two teams. You’ve got people from all different counties. That was interesting.
“Now nine years later I’m back there again, having played a lot more T20 cricket, which is really good and I’m really looking forward to it. ”
Parnell added: “I’m just trying to share some of my experiences with some of the other lads. The guys are very professional, young in age but with good heads on their shoulders.
“I think I’m on 150 T20 games. I’ve played with some very experienced guys, played in teams with some legends. Kieron Pollard is probably the most experienced T20 cricketer, also people like Shahid Afridi.
“For me, it is about trying to learn from guys from different countries because, having grown up in South Africa, I’ve played with some legends like Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Graeme Smith.
“Then you can pick up things from guys from other countries and if you can add those skills to your game, then you can adapt to the different circumstances and surfaces.
“If you have experienced guys, it is invaluable. You can’t teach people how to play when you’ve played 100, 200, 300 games, You can only go through that and once you’ve gone through it, then you can try and help other people mature quicker.
“For me, coming here as well, with the younger bowlers, it is about trying to help them and by the time they get to 25-26 they are thinking like 50-year-olds
“That is the sort of challenge for me. Obviously playing is one aspect but giving back is another aspect for me and, coming here, this young group have been really good with taking stuff on board.”