World T20: Australia tackle South Africa in crunch tie

Australia captain George Bailey ready for ‘outstanding’ Proteas in Super Eights match today.

Australia captain George Bailey believes that his side is evenly matched with South Africa ahead of their Super Eights match today. Australia will face the Proteas today in a match which is a must-win for the latter if they hope to qualify for the semi-finals.

“South Africa are an outstanding team,” said Bailey. “I don’t think there is a real weakness there. [We] are probably similar. We’ll have to go and see who plays the pull well and who doesn’t, and where they like to score.”

While acknowledging that spinners would play a major role throughout the tournament, he insisted that playing their best bowlers was the key.

“If your best bowlers are quick bowlers, you still bowl your best bowlers. They have to find ways to adapt. It is about getting that balance right.”

Meanwhile, South Africa captain AB de Villiers didn’t rule out using Robin Peterson in some overs in the Power Play as he did against Pakistan.

“We got a few wickets in that period, it really worked well,” said de Villiers. “Maybe against the Australians, it won’t be a bad game plan. But we won’t forget our pacemen. They are still on top of the world with the way they bowl and I back them to come good and get wickets against Australia.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2012.