With thepleasant weather, surprisingly good wicket and the packed crowds at South Africa’s T20 defeat at the hands of New Zealand, it seemed like any normal day of the season for Hashim Amla, pictured, and the rest of the national side.
But the months following the Cricket World Cup has brought a period of short reflection, followed now by the immediate need for preparation ahead of the next major tournament to come.
For the Proteas, the formats that are most in transition are the ODI and Test match sides as explained by vice-captain Amla in a press conference at SuperSport Park yesterday.
“As you build closer to a World Cup, you’re obviously a more settled team and the further it is away the more variety you’re going to see, which is very good.” Amla explained.
With the World Cup a distant memory and August being a slow point for SA cricket, Amla believes this part of the season is the best time to look at the depth of the squad and the team’s back-up options.
“I think these type of things are really healthy, especially building up to the Champions Trophy that’s in two years time and certainly the World Cup that’s in four years time,” he said.
In these down periods for the side, Amla said that players on the cusp can also build experience which will prepare them to step into the national set-up more easily when their time eventually comes.
“It gives guys opportunities, so that when they do come into national cricket they know what it’s about,” he said.
Amla believed that the current depth of South Africa’s player pool is quite strong, adding that there are some quality players in the ‘A’ side that is currently touring India.
Today’s match against New Zealand will be the first ODI between the two sides since the Black Caps bested the Proteas in the semi-final at the World Cup. The Proteas have struggled to impress since the tournament, with their Tour of Bangladesh ending in a lost ODI series and a tied Test series.
Amla, however, is only looking ahead, rather than trying to make up for the sides past let-downs.
“What’s done is done and we’re now looking forward to the Champions Trophy,” he said.
“Obviously, losing there (in Bangladesh) was very disappointing so I think this is a fresh start for everybody. The fact that we’re at home makes it a lot easier.” - The Star