USA wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous, the Desert Vipers’ direct signing for season four of the DP World ILT20, told the Vipers Voices podcast he was confident the team could win the upcoming edition of the tournament after two runners-up finishes in season one and season three.
“I think with the squad that has been built, we can definitely win it,” he said. “It is so hard because you basically build a squad to get you to the play-offs. And then the game is just so special. Anything can happen once you get to that stage.
“We 100 per cent have got the squad to get us into that final stage. And then we just have to play better cricket than the other team on that night.”
Gous has plenty to look forward to in addition to the DP World ILT20, with three momentous international cricketing events on the horizon. First up, he is hoping to play a part in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, with the USA guaranteed a spot in the mega-event after reaching the second round of the tournament in 2024.
Then, in 2027, there is the 50-over Men’s ICC Cricket World Cup in Southern Africa, including matches in South Africa, the country of Gous’ birth, with the USA in contention for a place in the Qualifier that is a pathway to the main event. Then finally, in 2028, there is the Olympics Games in Los Angeles where, once again, the USA national cricket team stands a chance to be included since they are the host nation.
Gous told Vipers Voices the cricketing calendar for the USA was a huge incentive for him to do well at the DP World ILT20.
“The USA squad has not yet been announced for the T20 World Cup,” said Gous. “But if I am lucky enough to get selected again then playing in that tournament in India and Sri Lanka will be really special.
“I think if we are in India’s pool it will be even better. Playing in the World Cup in India and to see the thousands of fans watching cricket would be a really good experience.”
The following year, 2027, offers Gous and the USA an incredible opportunity to play in the 50-over Men’s ICC Cricket World Cup via the Qualifier and the player said he was especially excited at the prospect of playing in the country of his birth.
“That is something I am really looking forward to,” he said. “South Africa is a great place to play and what a special country it is. It would be good to show people how beautiful South Africa can be and I know it is going to be good for cricket in the country as well. There is no reason why the USA cannot qualify. But if we want to play (in the 50-over Cricket World Cup), we have got to beat a few big teams as well.
“It is something we are really working together on as a team. The preparation for the 50-over competition began last year so that we can get to that stage where we can qualify.”
Completing Gous’s potential international trilogy is the possibility of that spot at the 2028 Olympic Games with Los Angeles staging the sporting jamboree, and cricket included after a gap of more than 100 years.
The USA could feature as the host nation and Gous said: “Playing in LA at the Olympics is something that I think only a few can ever dream about.
“It would be a really cool thing to happen, especially now that cricket is a part of the Olympics. It is something I think the whole country could get really excited about.”
For Gous, the DP World ILT20 and the Desert Vipers have played a key part in his rise to international level with the USA.
Why? Because in season two of the tournament, and with Gous still qualifying for his adopted national side, he produced a superb, match-winning performance, scoring 95 runs off 50 balls for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders against the Vipers in Dubai.
And Gous said he believed that innings played a pivotal role in his selection to the USA national team three months later, ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
“I think it was a special innings because there was much more on the line for me than people might know,” said Gous. “I was one of the first guys representing the United States of America in the DP World ILT20, so it was pretty big. I had not played for the USA at that stage, and the World Cup was coming up a few months later.
“It meant it was important for me to really make a good mark to be picked for that USA team and that was a really important season for me before all my international cricket started. Added all together, it meant I was very happy I got to play that innings.”
Gous repaid the faith of the USA selectors by playing a series of impactful knocks at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean last year.
That included 35 off 26 balls in the USA’s sensational victory against Pakistan and, recalling that day, Gous said: “It was incredible and just for us to be playing in a World Cup was really surreal.
“The fact that all our games were played in America was really awesome. And then going out there, beating Pakistan, just put the cherry on the top. And then to go to the second round, when nobody really gave us a chance, was amazing.
“The good thing was we never disappointed anyone. We played really good cricket. We competed in every single game we played, even against India. I think we as America won a lot of hearts in world cricket and hopefully, in the future to come, we can just do better.”
Looking ahead to season four of the DP World ILT20, Gous said he was excited to reunite with skipper Lockie Ferguson, and keen to continue learning from the highly successful roster of players.
“I have played with Lockie Ferguson at Washington Freedom (in Major League Cricket) for two years and what a great man he is,” said Gous. “I am really excited to be joining up with him again.
“Sam Curran is also someone I am excited to learn from. He had a fantastic season for the Vipers last year and has had a really good year in any cricket he has played. I think it will be really good to see how he goes about his business.
“And Fakhar Zaman is a really special cricketer. He can take a game away from anyone. So, it will be good to get a chance to bat alongside him as well.
“I have played with Naseem Shah (at Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League) and he is a really good guy. I think he is one of the funniest cricketers you will ever meet too. He is a world-class bowler and he is going to be good for the Vipers.”
