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The Saturday Interview: Andy Neild talks to Claude Henderson

The year 1972 was a vintage one for the South African wine region of the Worcester Valley - Claude Henderson was born.

And like a bottle of Hanepoot Geripigo, one of the most famous labels from the area, the 26-year-old slow left armer is hoping he gets better with age.

Already a South Africa A-team player, he hopes to reach maturity at full international level as soon as possible.

And if it means a few sacrifices along the way then he's prepared to take the plunge.

Henderson will be a keener observer than most of today's World Cup clash between South Africa and Australia.

That's because it brings together the side he wants to play for, with the player he wants to be.

It's always been his dream to play Test match cricket for his country, ever since he used to practice in the nets after school with his younger brother James, himself a first-class cricketer with Boland.

And since Shane Warne broke onto the international scene, he's been his main source of inspiration. Back in the early 90s, a spell in the Lancashire League with Accrington helped Warne to launch his career.

Henderson hopes a spell at East Lancs can do the same for him.

``I think the Lancashire League is the most competitive in England and that's why I'm here because I want to improve my game,'' said Henderson.

``I believe I'm good enough to play Test cricket.

``I've proved that in South Africa and it's just a matter of time. ``My batting has probably got to improve a bit but hopefully that will happen while I'm here.''

It's little wonder Henderson feels an affinity with Warne, one of the most vilified cricketers in the world.

For last season, he flirted with controversy following an incident involving him and Brian McMillan.

Bowling for Western Province, he was told to bowl a coolie-creeper by McMillan - that's a South African term for a delivery which shoots along the ground.

But the batsman facing - of Asian origin - took exception, claiming it was a racist taunt.

That whipped up a storm and, understandably, Henderson now wants to draw a line under the whole misunderstanding.

But it's not just Warne's gutsy resolve in the face of similar criticism he finds admirable.

It's what he is as a cricketer which leaves him in awe.

``Shane Warne has always inspired me - I think he's awesome. Because he's a spinner you've got to admire what he does.

``As a left-armer, you can't do the same kind of things a leg spinner can do.

``But as soon as he picks up the ball everyone watches, because he's the best.''

So far, Henderson has managed to eclipse his guru's achievements in the Lancashire League.

Warne was only a moderate success in his one season at Accrington.

But Henderson is well on course to smash the 100 wickets for a season barrier with 39 league victims already to his name.

More important, though, is the effect his form has had on the team as a whole.

After losing established first-teamers like Mark Lomas, David Pearson and Phil Mooney at the end of last season, East Lancs were expected to struggle.

But a new wave of talent is starting to come to fruition and they go into tomorrow's clash with Ramsbottom as second in the league and semi finalists in the Worsley Cup. ``It's always nice for any player to set the example but it's all about the team,'' said Henderson.

``The fielding has been wonderful and there's always been pressure on the other side in every game we've played.

``The spirit is great, which is massively important. But the best thing is, most of the guys playing now can play on for another 10 years.''

Henderson first broke onto the scene as an 18-year-old with Boland in the early 90s and over the next seven years took 221 first class wickets with a best return of 7-57.

But last season he moved to Western Province and his form earned him a call up to the South African A team for a tour of Sri Lanka at the back end of the summer.

The weather put a dampener on his chances to impress and he only played two Tests, although he did quite well.

``It wasn't the right time of the year to go to Sri Lanka because it was the monsoon season.

``It rained quite a bit in the first couple of weeks so we didn't play a lot.

``But it was good experience and it was nice to see that part of the world as well.

``There's a lot of poverty out there but somehow they still cope and manage to play cricket.

``You can learn a lot out of something like that.''

That taste of life on the international scene has whet his appetite for more. And, in order to broaden his cricketing education, he has opted to swap the idyllic surroundings of his home in Boland for a season in the Lancashire League.

The terraced houses of Blackburn must seem a million miles away from Worcester, where vineyards like Roman Sriver, Du Toits Kloof and Deetlefs are the main producers.

It's a region famous for the sweeter wines, due to the warm climate, and similar in character to the Lake District.

But Henderson enjoys playing his cricket in England, having played here twice before in the Birmingham and Derbyshire Leagues.

Ideally, he'd love to return as part of a touring South African Test team.

In the meantime, though, he's content helping nurture new talent at East Lancs while keeping a close eye on the progress of his potential future team-mates in the World Cup.

Today's game against Australia could well be a dress-rehearsal for the final and, for once, he's predicting Warne will have an off day.

``He's more of a Test player than a one-day cricketer,'' said Henderson.

``He can go out and take two or three wickets, or something, but he won't win them the game because the one-day game is all about team effort.

``I think a good run-out here or there or a couple of great catches are more likely to change a game than Shane Warne bowling nine or 10 overs.

``But they're both very, very good sides full of talented all-rounders so it's the side who does the right things on the day who will win.''

Should that be South Africa, Henderson may just uncork a bottle of Hanepoot Geripigo to celebrate.