SA skipper Temba Bavuma is hopeful that his side will play to their potential and get the better of one of the strongest teams in the tournament. England has won all four matches so far, and are favourites to win the T20I World Cup. South Africa will have to overcome this challenge if they are to reach the semi-finals.
As it stands, Australia and South Africa are tied on six points, with only net run rate separating them. The Aussies will face West Indies today (3:30 PM IST), and their net run rate will only increase if they beat the reigning champions. When SA go up against England in the evening (7:30 PM IST), they will not only have to beat Eoin Morgan’s side but also convincingly beat them to amp up their net run rate.
“If Australia wins, then it’s going to come down to net run rate. We’ll have an opportunity somewhere along our game to control our net run rate or alter our approach,”
the 31-year-old said.
On the eve of their Group 12 clash against the group leaders, Temba Bavuma stated that he wants South Africa to “add an extra five per cent” against the runaway Group A leaders.
“We want to play our best cricket tomorrow,”
He also believes that his unit has performed well in all three departments but wants to see a slight improvement against England.
England has had the wood over South Africa on the last five occasions. The last time South Africa won a T20I against England was about a year ago, in Cape Town. Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen were among the runs at the top of the order, and South Africa fans will hope for the same today at Sharjah.
Beating England and that too with a significant margin is easier said than done. South Africa will be hopeful that West Indies can do them a favour by beating Australia in the afternoon game. Nevertheless, the Group A qualification saga is undoubtedly going to be an interesting affair.
