NEWS
Follow UsSouth Africa T20I skipper Laura Wolvaardt has asserted that the side will be looking to field its strongest possible XI in the forthcoming T20I series against India, with more than one eye on the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October.
The three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka in April, which South Africa lost 2-1, saw Wolvaardt’s side miss many big names.
But the South Africa skipper confirmed that her side, for the forthcoming India T20Is, will all but field their strongest possible XI.
"Obviously, we will be looking to play the strongest XI we can. The team has plans leading up to the World Cup, be it bowling or batting options and nail down different combinations," Wolvaardt said in the press conference ahead of the first T20I.
"We have tried some things and given youngsters opportunities in the last few T20I series. But for this tour, we will be looking to play our best side and the most likely side to be playing in the World Cup.”
Wolvaardt also said that her team will use this upcoming series to conduct a few experiments with regards to tactics, including deploying more spin up front.
"It's a good time to see if we could perhaps use more spin in the powerplay and the death. Although we generally bowl spin in the middle overs, it could be a good time to experiment with a couple of things.
"India will play a lot of spinners and will probably bowl spin throughout the innings. But, it all depends on the conditions that unfold, and how spin-friendly it's out there," she added.
South Africa will be hoping to avoid a tour whitewash. They have already lost the ODI series 3-0, and, earlier this week, got beaten comprehensively in the one-off Test.
The first of the three T20Is will be played on July 5 (Friday) in Chennai.
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