AB raring to go all out in ODIs
BACK at full strength, the Proteas will be looking to launch a telling counterattack when they square up against a confident Sri Lankan side in the opening one-day international at St George’s Park today (10am start).
The tourists arrived in Port Elizabeth on Thursday with an extra spring in their step having beaten South Africa 21 in the T20 international series in mid-week.
In the back of their minds they will know that victory was achieved against what was essentially an experimental Proteas side with so many senior players being rested. But, as they say in the classics, a win is a win and the Sri Lankans will deservedly be claiming it.
Fit-again Proteas ODI skipper A B de Villiers gave the Lankans their due at his prematch media conference yesterday.
“Look the Sri Lankans came back really well. They played some good cricket in the last two T20s. So we know now that they are a very motivated group of young players. I’ve been part of one or two groups of youngsters so I know the feeling of motivation,” De Villiers said.
De Villiers believes his squad have the upper hand on the tourists heading into the ODI series but remains wary of the threat they pose.
“So even though we feel that we are a more talented and more skillful and a better group of players at the moment than Sri Lanka, we know that they are very dangerous at the moment. There is lots of young talent who can come good at certain times. We know we are going to have to play some good cricket to beat them.”
After a disappointing TriSeries in the West Indies in June last year which included Australia, South Africa have come back remarkably well, winning six ODI matches on the bounce. The win over Ireland would have been expected but the 5-0 drubbing handed to the Aussies was impressive.
De Villiers believes his team can continue that trend.
“I think we in a really good space. I go back to that culture camp we had where we had an honest catch-up with each other where everyone got rid of emotions. So after that West Indies tour we really got rid of all the baggage and you can clearly see in the way that we’ve been playing that it’s a happy group of players.”
In his comeback match from injury, De Villiers made a fine 63 in a losing cause in Cape Town on Wednesday and says he is ready to continue his love affair with St George’s today.
“I’ve got great memories of this ground, especially in the last five ODI’s here. Those are the memories I hold on to.”
The team will be without Lungi Ngidi who has been ruled out of the series with a side strain but there will be more artillery on display.
Back into the squad come Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, J P Duminy, Faf du Plessis and Kagiso Rababa.
Fixtures: Today: Port Elizabeth; Wednesday: Durban; February 4: Johannesburg; February 7: Cape Town; February 10: Centurion. — reevesa@timesmedia.co.za