Five dress rehearsals should do it. If they don’t, good luck and get on with it. That, more or less, is Faf du Plessis’ message to his SA team as the World T20 looms.
The first of those dummy runs is at Newlands today in the shape of a T20 against England, who will line up again at the Wanderers on Sunday. Then Australia arrive to play three matches in the format.
And that’s that: SA’s next match will be their WT20 opener against England in Mumbai on March 18.
Du Plessis can be sure that England will look to bring their A game to Newlands and the Wanderers. As their captain, Eoin Morgan, said yesterday: “Nobody will be rested over the next two games; they are games we really want to win.
Bring it, Du Plessis said yesterday: “If we lose 2-0 (to England) it’s not ideal for preparation but it’s about ticking the stuff you’re still working on, making sure you’re improving on that.”
“So that when you get to that (WT20) stage, you should be where you need to be. If we’ve nailed our skills and we win five out of five, that’s great. But if it goes the other way it’s just about gradually stepping up.
“In two weeks’ time we go. Everyone’s clear in their mind about what their role is for the team. Once you’re in that space, if you’re in form in that tournament, anything’s possible.”
Du Plessis was happy knowing he had the best team at his disposal.
He also responded to reports that Kevin Pietersen was looking to qualify to play for SA, which he could do by 2018. “KP had a great career for England but from a South African perspective, he’s English”.
Regarding the confirmation that Kagiso Rabada would play for Kent this winter, Du Plessis said: “The nice thing for him is that SA will be touring there next year.
“He hasn’t bowled with the Duke ball, he hasn’t played in those conditions, and I do think it is massively important for a young guy to go and play there.
“He’s got such a great head on his shoulders. He doesn’t think he’s the finished article. He’s still young. He’s got lots of years to go and play in the Indian Premier League.”
He has five dress rehearsals to make sure he’s ready for opening night in Mumbai.
Five games left for SA to prepare
The first of those dummy runs is at Newlands today in the shape of a T20 against England, who will line up again at the Wanderers on Sunday. Then Australia arrive to play three matches in the format.
And that’s that: SA’s next match will be their WT20 opener against England in Mumbai on March 18.
Du Plessis can be sure that England will look to bring their A game to Newlands and the Wanderers. As their captain, Eoin Morgan, said yesterday: “Nobody will be rested over the next two games; they are games we really want to win.
Bring it, Du Plessis said yesterday: “If we lose 2-0 (to England) it’s not ideal for preparation but it’s about ticking the stuff you’re still working on, making sure you’re improving on that.”
“So that when you get to that (WT20) stage, you should be where you need to be. If we’ve nailed our skills and we win five out of five, that’s great. But if it goes the other way it’s just about gradually stepping up.
“In two weeks’ time we go. Everyone’s clear in their mind about what their role is for the team. Once you’re in that space, if you’re in form in that tournament, anything’s possible.”
Du Plessis was happy knowing he had the best team at his disposal.
He also responded to reports that Kevin Pietersen was looking to qualify to play for SA, which he could do by 2018. “KP had a great career for England but from a South African perspective, he’s English”.
Regarding the confirmation that Kagiso Rabada would play for Kent this winter, Du Plessis said: “The nice thing for him is that SA will be touring there next year.
“He hasn’t bowled with the Duke ball, he hasn’t played in those conditions, and I do think it is massively important for a young guy to go and play there.
“He’s got such a great head on his shoulders. He doesn’t think he’s the finished article. He’s still young. He’s got lots of years to go and play in the Indian Premier League.”
He has five dress rehearsals to make sure he’s ready for opening night in Mumbai.
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