South Africa aim for winning start

Zimbabwe look to avoid being first casualty at World Twenty20.

HAMBANTOTA:

High-flying South Africa batsman Hashim Amla said his team was ready for their African neighbours Zimbabwe in their Group C match of the World Twenty20 at Hambantota today.

Zimbabwe were smarting from a big 82-run defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in the tournament opener. However, Amla said Zimbabwe will come down hard in their last chance to stay in the tournament.

“They are a professional side,” said Amla. “They must want to improve but we’re coming well prepared so whatever they bring to the party, obviously we need to be better than that.”

Labelled as perennial ‘chokers’ for their slumps in major events since being readmitted to international cricket in 1992, South Africa look to end their 14-year title wait after winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 1998. For that, Amla thinks, a winning start was important.

“Every game is different and getting a victory for a good start, that’s what we are looking for. That has been our aim, fortunately we’ve had a good preparation coming here.”

Led by the gutsy AB de Villiers, South Africa boast a strong batting line-up with Jacques Kallis as their mainstay besides having a varied attack with Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel spearheading the pace department and Johan Botha and Robin Petersen as quality spinners.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe coach Alan Butcher admitted his team needed a lift.

“Obviously it’s our last chance and we’ll have to put in a vastly-improved performance,” said Butcher.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2012.