DECENT PREP? FILE. South Africa’s opponents for their Champions Trophy opener will be none other than Afghanistan which could prove a tricky opponent for the Proteas to overcome. Seen here: Proteas batsman Tristan Stubbs in action. Picture: Steve Bardens/AFP
Image: Steve Bardens/AFP
On the face of it, it may appear that playing in the SA20 might just be the perfect preparation for the Proteas ahead of the Champions Trophy.
But that might not necessarily be the case.
Though competing in the T20 competition will be better than playing a Test series immediately prior to the 50-over tournament, it’s far from ideal.
Legendary Proteas batsman AB de Villiers always said that there was a big difference, from a batting perspective at least, between One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and the ‘moer-en-soek’ T20 stuff.
De Villiers said he always had to factor in a period of adjustment to adapt his technique.
South Africa also lost two of their last three ODI series 3-0 to the visiting Pakistan in December and before that they went down 2-1 to Afghanistan in Sharjah in September.
Next month The Proteas will have two ODIs in their Tri-Nation series involving Pakistan and New Zealand, as their final preparation before their Champions Trophy campaign begins in Karachi on February 21.
South Africa’s opponents for their tournament opener will be none other than Afghanistan. Ardent Proteas fans might struggle to back their team to come away with a win first up, and against a team which were the far superior outfit the last time they met.
Four days later, South Africa will have an even bigger challenge against Australia in Rawalpindi.
Less than a week later, the Proteas will cap off their group stage fixtures with a match against old foes England in Karachi.
Add in the fact that the Proteas are still short of a fast bowler in their squad since Anrich Nortje was ruled out a matter of days after being included in the team for the Champions Trophy.
His expected replacement Gerald Coetzee has also since been ruled out of the SA20 with injury, but the SA selectors are still hoping he will recover in time to board that plane to Pakistan.
Add all these issues together, and it paints a dim picture for the chances of the Proteas at the only ICC men’s senior tournament they have ever won before.
* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media.
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