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Dwaine Pretorius cricketing career was just beginning when it almost ended. It was 2008, he was 18 years old and had been named in South Africas Under-19 World Cup squad, but he never got to the event. On the first of January that year, Pretorius tore the cartilage in his right knee and decided to study instead of play sport, at least for a while.I realised that sport is unpredictable and it would be a good idea to get my career sorted so that I would have something if cricket didnt work out, Pretorius, who has been named in South Africas squad for the one-off ODI against Ireland, told ESPNcricinfo. But my dad said that after I got my degree, he would financially support for a year or two to see if I could make it as a cricketer.Pretorius enrolled in an Accounting degree course at the University of Pretoria and for three years concentrated on his academics. He played for the student team but never ventured into anything more serious until he graduated. Even then, he contemplated furthering his education to become a chartered accountant (CA) before remembering the deal he had made with his father. We went on a family holiday and I said to my dad that when I am lying on my deathbed, Im not going to think that I should have tried to become a CA but I might think that I should have tried to become a cricketer.To pursue that ambition, Pretorius returned to his home province, North West, even though the teams coach, Monty Jacobs, warned him that there was little chance of breaking into the team. Monty said to me the squad was pretty settled and it would be tough to get a game but that I should come through and we could see, Pretorius said.The seeing, meant exactly that. For months, Pretorius trained and watched his team-mates play but did not take the field himself. It was very frustrating, he said. I felt like I was doing nothing and I started to wonder whether that was the best decision for me. Every time the thought came into my head, I reminded myself that I would regret not trying.Finally, in the last game of the season, in 2011, Pretorius got a look-in. He was selected for a three-day game against Kwa-Zulu Natal Inland and went wicketless in the first innings. Things got better when his turn to bat came. He scored 53 and then took 5 for 38 to set up the teams victory. The following summer, Pretorius was a regular and made a name for himself as an allrounder in the shortest format. In five T20 matches he took six wickets at 21.50 and scored 179 runs including two fifties at 59.66. He was awarded the T20 Amateur Cricketer of the Year award at CSAs 2012 prize-giving and was included in the Lions franchise squad to play in the Champions League T20 but his knee had other ideas.He suffered a second injury and required major surgery. At 23, he again thought his career had ended but after fighting his way back, he found a way to resuscitate it by changing his approach. Instead of trying to get quicker, he decided to get cleverer.In my rookie years I was obsessed with pace and I felt like I would never play for South Africa if I didnt reach 140kph. But after that, I shifted my focus, he said. I thought about what makes Vernon Philander so good as a player and I asked guys at the Lions and the answer they gave me was that he never misses his spot. In business terms, I thought that was part of the market I would carve out for myself.Pretorius put his efforts into accuracy, an awayswinger, and developing his all round game. He spent hours with Lions bowling coach Gordan Parsons and in the 2014-15 season was rewarded with a franchise contract. He became an important member of the Lions side and in the following year was judged the South African Cricketers Associations most valuable player across all formats. He was included in the South African A side to play in a quadrangular series in Australia this winter and is now one of three new names in the ODI squad, alongside Andile Phehlukwayo and Temba Bavuma.Unlike the other two, Pretorius isnt part of the squad for the five-match series against Australia that follows the Ireland game. Theres nothing I can do now, no more performances I can put before those matches, so its just about enjoying the experience, he said. It will give me a toe in the door and hopefully I will be able to show what kind of a player I am.So what kind of player is that? In his own words: A genuine allrounder who can offer something different. I want to be in a position to win games with bat or ball. I dont want people to say if Dwaine gets runs, we will be lucky. I want people to expect me to get runs and take wickets.South Africa are still searching for a two-in-one player they can rely on regularly and Pretorius will be up against Wayne Parnell, Chris Morris and Phehlukwayo in trying to claim the spot. Competition for the allrounder role is stiff but I think if I can get my batting solid, I can put some of those guys under pressure for their places, he said. But at the same time, I am not focused on trying to be better than someone else but on trying to be my best.For Pretorius, that means ensuring he puts himself in a position not just to play ODI cricket but to play Test cricket. That would be the ultimate. Maybe if I can score 500 or 600 first-class runs in a season, I will come into contention for a Test spot, he said. And so, at 27, Pretorius finds his career is beginning again. 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The West Brom defender, whose own goal had put Spurs in front in the first half, headed home Craig Gardners corner in the 73rd minute at White Hart Lane, leaving Leicester with the chance to wrap up the title with a victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.Here, we round up the biggest talking points on a bitterly disappointing evening for Mauricio Pochettinos men… Leicester on the brink Tottenham players look dejected after the final whistle Dawsons equaliser prompted wild celebrations among the West Brom supporters at White Hart Lane and the reaction must have been similar among Leicester fans watching at home.Spurs desperately needed three points after Claudio Ranieris sides emphatic 4-0 victory over Swansea on Sunday, but the draw leaves them seven points off the summit. The Foxes need to take just three points from their games against Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea to guarantee the title - meaning they could be crowned champions before Spurs face the Blues on Monday. Nerves get to Spurs Mauricio Pochettino was disappointed to see his title-chasing Tottenham side spurn so many chances to win the game against West Brom. Tottenhams exhilarating title challenge has been characterised by a fearless mentality but for the first time all season, they allowed the nerves to get the better of them at White Hart Lane. In front of goal, they were uncharacteristically sloppy, with a total of two shots on target their lowest of the season so far, and there were signs of indecision as they lost their way in the closing stages. This is the youngest team in the Premier League and a team thats never been anywhere near this before, said Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness. It certainly looked like it got to them in the second half. It became a nervy affair for them. I think some of the Tottenham players did freeze.Jamie Carragher agreed. Dont forget how many times Leicester have won 1-0, he said. It would have been a huge result, but it takes it back to Leicester and how much credit you have to give them. Tottenham have been in that situation tonight and they couldnt quite hang on.Alli in trouble? Tottenhams Dele Alli appeared to hit out at West Broms Claudio Yacob Tottenham will also be sweatiing on Dele Alli, who could be facing FA action after appearing to lash out at Claudio Yacob in the first half.dddddddddddd. The Tottenham midfielder, who was named PFA Young Player of the Year on Sunday night, received close attention from the Argentine throughout the game - and Souness insists its something hell have to get used to.Hes got to accept that lesser lights like Yacob will try and mess him around, said Souness. Hes getting all the attention at the moment as hes the Young Player of the Year. Hes going to get that from a player like Yacob. Hes there to be a spoiler and stop people playing - Allis got to live with that.Pochettino insisted he had not seen the incident in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, but Spurs will be aware that Alli may be hit with a ban if the FA decide to take retrospective action.Dier concern for Spurs Eric Dier was forced off with an injury after West Broms equaliser Alli is not the only midfield concern for Spurs, who also had to watch Eric Dier trudge straight down the tunnel after picking up an injury when Dawson netted West Broms equaliser. The 22-year-old has been a revelation in the holding role this season, and Spurs do not have a replacement in the same ilk.The lack of cover hasnt been an issue so far this season as Dier has started all but one of their 35 Premier League games, but a spell on the sidelines would leave Pochettino facing a challenge to ensure they do not lose their balance in midfield in the remaining games of the campaign.West Brom raise their game Tony Pulis was pleased with the work rate and organisation of his West Brom side as they held Tottenham to a 1-1 draw Having already hit the 40-point mark and lost four of their previous five Premier League games, West Brom were not expected to put up much resistance at White Hart Lane. They certainly struggled in the first half as Spurs took the lead and hit the woodwork twice, but they were much improved after the break, when they had nine shots to Tottenhams five.West Brom in the second half were a totally different team, said Souness. They were bang at it. I think what we have witnessed tonight could only happen in the Premier League. Youve got a team who are playing for nothing and should be in their armchairs who have gone to the potential league champions and got a result and frustrated the life out of them. Also See: Tottenham 1-1 West Brom Pundits on Alli right hook Souness: Pressure got to Spurs Spurs fixtures ' ' '