Published: Oct 15, 2018, 07:54 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 15, 2018, 07:54 PM (IST)
After expectedly sealing the three-match ODI series 3-0 and three-match T20I series 2-0 with one no result against Zimbabwe, South Africa next turn their attention on the short tour of Australia in a bid to finalise their squad for the 2019 World Cup next year in England Wales.
According to coach Ottis Gibson, the time for experimentation is coming to an end and the squad for the three ODIs and one off T20I in Australia that begins on November 4 with the first ODI will provide an indicator of the team’s intentions ahead of the global event.
“We want to go there with an attitude of trying to win,” said Gibson after rain washed out his team’s final Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe in Benoni on Sunday.
“The squad that we pick will reflect that and reflect our feeling on the formula and the way we want to play cricket. There is a lot being said about being positive. The key is having the will to stick with it even when things get tough.”
South Africa’s squad for Australia will be announced on Thursday. Veteran batsman Hashim Amla was ruled out of the tour due to a finger injury, but Gibson said that experienced bowlers – Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir – will board the flight Down Under.
“I know what Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi can do, but for me, the real excitement was watching Dale Steyn bowling in the second game in Bloemfontein,” he said.
“It was fantastic to see him back to that level again, bowling quickly with that skill and accuracy. There are a lot of guys we have in our thoughts who will be in the squad to Australia,” said Gibson.
“For the last 12 months we have been looking at players. In the next couple of months, the players have been told that the window is closing all the time.”
After the series in Australia, South Africa will be involved in five-match home series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. “In those series we want to be focusing on a core of 17 to 18 players we will be looking at,” he said.
