Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma believes the SA20 is preparing the core of their batting lineup well for the Champions Trophy, starting in Pakistan and Dubai next month.
Key batsman Heinrich Klaasen has struggled somewhat in the competition for Durban’s Super Giants, but over the weekend found form with a knock of 66 against MI Cape Town.
Aiden Markram, meanwhile, has notched up two half-centuries and scores of 43 for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape and teammate Tristan Stubbs has had a couple scores in the 30s in his last three innings.
While the T20 format requires a vastly different set of skills for the batsmen, the time in the middle during a match will still help greatly.
Confident Bavuma
“I’m really glad that the core of our batting line-up is doing well in the SA20. In Pakistan we should get friendly pitches for batting, so you need in-form batsmen so that you can take control of matches over there,” Bavuma told SportsBoom.co.za.
On the bowling front however, there are a number of concerns.
Anrich Nortje was ruled out of the Champions Trophy a matter of days after being named in the squad with a back injury. Gerald Coetzee who would likely replace Nortje, was also ruled out of the SA20 after playing just one game for the Joburg Super Giants.
Cricket SA (CSA) are hoping Coetzee recovers in time from a hamstring injury before making a call on their final squad.
“There are more question marks over the bowling, but obviously injuries are part of the game,” said Bavuma.
“Bowling has always been our strength, and you want to be in the position where you can select from everyone. But I have a lot of pride in this team that they always find a way, even if they have to do it the hard way. These sort of injury questions are nothing new.”