ZCZC
BSP-22
CRICKET-RSA-GIBSON
South Africa’s World Cup plans take shape
JOHANNESBURG, Oct 15, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – South Africa’s time for
experimentation ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup is coming to an end,
according to coach Ottis Gibson.
Speaking after rain washed out his team’s final Twenty20 international
against Zimbabwe in Benoni on Sunday, Gibson said a short limited overs tour
of Australia, starting later this month, would be a crucial part of the
build-up to next year’s World Cup in England.
“We want to go there with an attitude of trying to win,” said Gibson. “The
squad that we pick will reflect that and reflect our feeling on the formula
and the way we want to play cricket.”
South Africa were seldom under pressure in three limited overs and two
Twenty20 internationals against Zimbabwe but tried to play the kind of
positive cricket that will be needed for more demanding encounters.
“There is a lot being said about being positive. The key is having the
will to stick with it even when things get tough,” said Gibson.
The Barbados-born coach said leading batsman Hashim Amla would miss the
tour of Australia because of a finger injury but indicated that veteran
bowlers Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir would make the trip, adding to the strike
power of fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.
“I know what Rabada and Ngidi can do but for me the real excitement was
watching Dale Steyn bowling in the second game in Bloemfontein,” he said. “It
was fantastic to see him back to that level again, bowling quickly with that
skill and accuracy.”
“There are a lot of guys we have in our thoughts who will be in the squad
to Australia,” said Gibson. “For the last 12 months we have been looking at
players. In the next couple of months, the players have been told that the
window is closing all the time.”
After three one-day internationals in Australia, South Africa will have
five-match home series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
“In those series we want to be focusing on a core of 17 to 18 players we
will be looking at,” he said.
South Africa’s squad for Australia will be announced on Thursday.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1846 hrs