KEEN CONTEST
Confident Caribbeans take on struggling South Africa
Southampton, June 9: South Africa may be struggling but two-time World Cup winning captain Clive Lloyd feels West Indies cannot afford to take the Proteas lightly here on Monday.
The South Africans have lost their first three matches in the ongoing World Cup, while the West Indies have won one and lost one.
“Windies have to be aware of the job at hand as South Africa is in danger of missing out on the top four if they lose,” Lloyd said in a column for the ICC.
He
Indies said will West need
to improve in all departments to have any chance of emerging victorious against South Africa. “West Indies have to get all the disciplines right on the day and play clever cricket because for the most part of the day they did well, but they simply did not capitalise on the early dismissals. They now have to re-group, look at the mistakes they made and rectify them so that they can return to their winning ways. I’m still feeling positive about the West Indies overall.” Meanwhile,
South African speedster
Kagiso Rabada believes South
Africa must put their offfield problems to one side as they look to revive their campaign against the West Indies.
A tough opening week in the round-robin phase has left the Proteas with little margin for error after three defeats — by England, Bangladesh and India — left their semifinal hopes hanging by a thread.
South Africa also saw senior fast bowler Dale Steyn ruled out of the World Cup through injury without bowling a ball.
Meanwhile, a row has broken out over whether South Africa’s selectors were right to reject star AB de Villiers’s offer to come out of international retirement for the World Cup.
“There’s just been a lot happening off the field and we are just looking to clear that out of our heads,” said Rabada.
“But it has been enjoyable,” added Rabada, whose fellow quick Lungi Ngidi is an injury doubt for Monday’s match.
While yet to hit top gear himself at the World Cup, Rabada has been encouraged by the performances so far of fellow fast bowlers such as England’s Jofra Archer, Australia’s Mitchell Starc and the West Indies’ Oshane Thomas.
“They are all phenomenal bowlers. I enjoy watching other bowlers bowl. It’s nice to see other people do well, but not against us,” said Rabada jokingly.