Cape Town - The Proteas ODI squad begins their post-World Cup transition when they take on Bangladesh in the first ODI at the Sher-e Bangla National Stadium on Friday.
The absence of AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander will give the selectors an opportunity to try out new combinations and players, an “exciting” period according to captain, Hashim Amla.
“Some of the guys have had a good break so to get back into cricket; be it T20’s, ODI’s or Tests is exciting,” Amla told the media in Mirpur on Thursday. “There will be less focus on the ODI format with the World Cup only taking place in four-year’s time. The way I see it, ODI cricket is going to be in more of a transitional phase. There are new rules coming in so every team will be working out new styles of play to get winning ways with the new rules. It will also be a transition of getting the right team for four-year’s time.”
Amla says the squad has had enough preparation despite missing out on their final practice due to torrential rain in Dhaka on Thursday. The ODI players arrived in Dhaka on Monday evening, and have managed to put in two full training sessions along with the remainder of the players who took part in the T20 series.
“We have been here quite a few times in the last few years and I think everyone has been getting the experience of playing in the sub-continent,” Amla, who averages 63 against the hosts, said. “I have been fortunate to get some runs against Bangladesh and having played here as well I’ve got used to the conditions quite quickly. We will draw on that experience to take us through this series. It’s also helps that the T20 guys did extremely well and for the rest of the team they come with some confidence as well as experiences they can take into this series.”
The No.3 ranked ODI batsman says he is satisfied with the balance of pace and spin in his bowling stocks, but also didn’t rule out the possibility of playing three spinners if the conditions are suitable.
“It will depend on what the wicket is like,” he admitted. “If it’s anything like the T20’s then spin will be a major factor. Imran Tahir has been one of the best spin bowlers in the world in both T20’s and ODI’s so it’s great to have him back in the team along with Phangiso, who has done well for us. Maybe it will be a battle of spin, it’s hard to say.”
ODI Squad:
Hashim Amla (Nashua Cape Cobras, capt), Quinton de Kock (The Unlimited Titans), Faf du Plessis (The Unlimited Titans), Rilee Rossouw (Knights), JP Duminy (Nashua Cape Cobras), David Miller (Sunfoil Dolphins), Farhaan Behardien (The Unlimited Titans), Chris Morris (The Unlimited Titans), Morne Morkel (The Unlimited Titans), Imran Tahir (Sunfoil Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (bizhub Highveld Lions), Kyle Abbott (Sunfoil Dolphins), Aaron Phangiso (bizhub Highveld Lions), Wayne Parnell (Nashua Cape Cobras), Ryan McLaren (Sunfoil Dolphins).
ANA