Victory gives SA new optimism

WELLINGTON — South Africa’s 146-run victory over United Arab Emirates in their final World Cup Pool B clash yesterday was exactly what the team needed heading into the quarterfinals, captain AB de Villiers said.

De Villiers’s side have experienced an inconsistent campaign and were still to secure qualification for the last eight before the match at Wellington Regional Stadium.

SA had displayed their best form when twice registering scores of more than 400 runs, but also appeared vulnerable in losses to India and Pakistan, raising doubts over the side’s ability to shake off their “World Cup chokers” tag.

“I won’t say ‘ yes that win has given us the confidence to believe that we are better than ever ’, but those games need to be respected and the boys rocked up with a great attitude,” said man of the match De Villiers, who scored 99 runs in a 341/6 total.

“We wanted to win. We wanted to play a good game of cricket. Which we did,” he added after UAE were dismissed for 195 with Fahad Alhashmi unable to bat after injuring his leg while bowling.

“It was a good performance. Those are always tricky games. I thought they bowled pretty well up front and made it difficult for us [and] … they made us work for our runs.

“Everyone bowled nicely. Very happy with the fielding display as well. Those kind of opportunities will help us going into the knockout rounds.”

De Villiers said SA probably have some selection issues ahead of their quarterfinal, likely to be against Sri Lanka.

Faf du Plessis, who did not play due to a back injury, should be fit in time for next Wednesday ’ s clash, with Rilee Rossouw, who scored 43 against UAE and pulled off three spectacular catches, and Farhaan Behardien likely to be competing for a spot.

Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock still had De Villiers’s support despite a lean spell of runs – just 53 in six innings.