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Sarel Erwee enjoying challenge of Ram Slam T20 Challenge

Sarel Erwee - Ram Slam
Image: Sarel Erwee smashed the first century of the Ram Slam season earlier this month

Dolphins' Sarel Erwee is enjoying the challenge of taking on South Africa's seasoned Proteas in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge.

The 28-year-old, who top-scored for South Africa in their six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final of the Hong Kong Sixes last month, has been part of the Dolphins' campaign in South Africa's domestic T20 competition.

Erwee scored the first hundred of the current Ram Slam season in a 15-run win over Cobras on November 12, a 58-ball innings that included five sixes and 10 fours, but says his build-up to that debut appearance in the tournament was far from assured.

"My preparation leading up to that game wasn't great," Erwee told Sky Sports ahead of Dolphins' live fixture against the Warriors on Wednesday (3.55pm, Sky Sports Cricket). "I was struggling to hit the ball in the middle of the bat."

"I was quite nervous because I hadn't played franchise T20 cricket for the Dolphins yet - I'd only been playing one-day cricket and four-day cricket.

"So to be told I would make my T20 debut against the likes of Vernon Philander, Rory Kleinveldt, JP Duminy, and Hashim Amla - I was very nervous because the openers need to get the team off to a good start. I felt good, though, and things went my way, so it was a good day all round."

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Watch the best of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge match between Cobras and Dolphins at Centurion

In the two games that followed, the Dolphins suffered a washout against the Knights, before travelling to Potchefstroom to take on the Lions on Sunday - a game in which Erwee was unable to replicate his debut knock as he fell for two runs from three balls.

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"My preparation had actually been so much better in the last week," Erwee continued. "I've never hit the ball as well as I was hitting it ahead of Friday night, and then it rained.

"Then you travel, and there's not much preparation between games, and you can only hope that you've carried the form over to Sunday. I actually felt good for my three balls that I faced on Sunday, surprisingly!"

Live: Ram Slam T20 Challenge

With the format of the Ram Slam and the short turnaround between games, the Pietermaritzburg-born opener says there is no use dwelling on the single-digit score. "One failure isn't going to make or break my whole season."

By Erwee's own admission he is still coming to terms with the 20-over game, but enjoys the enterprising nature of the format.

"T20 cricket is so fast-paced, so you've got to be positive from ball one. If you hit one ball well, then you can roll on from there.

"It's not about taking all-out risks, it's about calculated risks and keeping the scoreboard ticking by picking out certain bowlers and certain overs."

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There were three one-handed fan catches in the Ram Slam clash between Cobras and Dolphins, earning each supporter a share of two million Rand!

There was no assurance that Erwee would make it to this level of cricket, after an initial move to the Dolphins failed to ignite his prospects.

"I left school and went to Durban to further my career but it didn't really work out for me. I was at the Dolphins Academy for two years and things didn't really go to plan.

"I moved back to Pietermaritzburg and got a couple of opportunities to play for our amateur setup, KZN Inland, and thought that got more opportunities to play.

"Grant Morgan, the current Dolphins coach, was actually my coach at Inland so he kick-started my career. He's given me the chance to play all formats, and every season has gone from strength to strength for me."

Now that the left-hander has embedded himself into the Dolphins setup, he's keen to learn as much as possible from the international campaigners lining up alongside and against him.

"Having an opportunity to play with and against seasoned Proteas is just unbelievable," said Erwee. "You're in a position where you can test yourself against them, and that gives you an indication of where you are as a bowler or batter.

Live: Ram Slam T20 Challenge

"Their skills are just a touch better than normal franchise cricket, so it gives guys a massive opportunity to test themselves and showcase their skillset."

Erwee says it's been tough to make the step up, but says the transition has been a rewarding one, and is relishing the chance to take on more of South Africa's top-class bowlers in the Ram Slam.

"This is why you play the game, you want to progress, you want move up to the next level. It was unfortunate that I couldn't face Kagiso Rabada on Sunday, but to potentially face Dale Steyn next Friday is something I want.

"I want to see where I am in my career by testing myself against seasoned cricketers. I'm thriving on it, it's exciting for me."

Watch the Dolphins take on the Warriors in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge live on Sky Sports Cricket from 3.55pm on Wednesday.

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