NEWS
Follow UsSouth Africa had won each of their four games in the group stages, but they entered the Super 8s with their top-order misfiring big time. Across their first four games, South Africa’s opening stand averaged just 10.8, and the side’s overall scoring rate in the powerplay was an eye-watering 4.4.
However, all that changed in the team’s first game of the Super 8s against United States as the Proteas plundered 64 runs in the first six overs, with Quinton de Kock finally coming to the party. The onslaught in the powerplay set the tone for the side, who eventually went on to post 194 and win the contest by 18 runs.
In the wake of the team’s fifth consecutive victory, Kagiso Rabada, whose spell of 3/18 played a big hand in the result, said that the Proteas’ intent in the first six overs proved to be the difference.
“Well, I think we did really well in the powerplay and that probably set the two sides apart,” Rabada said after the game.
“In the death, I thought they made it very hard for us in the death. We didn't, I mean we've got really good players in the death and bad batsmen in the death and they made it extremely hard for them.
“So yes, cricket is a game of variables and you have to read the conditions, whether it's the pitch or the wind and left-right batting combinations and see what the best deliveries are in order to get the percentages in your favour.”
In the aftermath of the result, USA head coach Stuart Law claimed that he was ‘proud’ of his side despite the defeat, and said that these set of USA players are learning even when they are losing. South Africa might have gotten the ‘W’, but Rabada lavished praise on the spirited USA unit, lauding the fact that they kept fighting till the final ball.
“You can never write any opposition off no matter who they're playing for. The USA have been playing well, they beat Pakistan. So, hats off to the way they're playing,” Rabada said.
The clash on June 19 was a welcome change for South Africa, who played on a batting-friendly surface for the first time in this T20 World Cup. The unpredictable nature of the surfaces have proven to be challenging for teams in this T20WC, but Rabada asserted that it’s the duty of professional cricketers to be able to adapt and adjust according to the conditions.
“Well, you have to adjust on the go we are professional cricketers and we've come across conditions variable conditions throughout our careers and I guess we should have an idea of how to adapt but if it's your day then it's your day and if it's not then it's not but you want to win more days than you lose,” Rabada said.
The USA clash was also a welcome change (in form) on a personal level for Rabada. The 29-year-old had not been in the greatest of rhythms in the group stages, putting up ordinary showings against both Nepal and Netherlands.
Eyebrows were raised when he retained his place in the XI over the in-form Ottneil Baartman, but the right-armer showcased his class and experience against USA, finishing with decisive figures of 3/18 in a high-scoring contest.
Rabada has been used as an all-phase bowler in this T20WC, and the right-armer said that he is more than happy to bowl anywhere the captain asks him to.
“I don't mind where I bowl, wherever the captain needs me,” Rabada said.
“I think I've had enough experience bowling in any phase of the game and I think I have a good idea of how to go about it in any phase. So, I'll just try my best whenever I have the ball.”
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