Having both endured first-up defeats at the T20 World Cup, South Africa and the West Indies meet in Dubai on Tuesday, staring down the prospects of falling too far behind in the semi-final race.
The Proteas haven’t progressed significantly in T20 cricket in their time under the tutelage of Mark Boucher. Fundamental deficiencies were exposed in their defeat by Australia and change is needed, writes Ryan Vrede.
Ryan Vrede rates the Proteas after their opening T20 Cricket World Cup defeat by Australia.
Adil Rashid took four wickets as England hammered the West Indies by six wickets in their Super 12 match at the T20 World Cup on Saturday.
Mohammed Moosajee has criticised the current Proteas set-up for not having a united stance on Black Lives Matter and raised concerns about the quota system.
Rassie van der Dussen hit an unbeaten 101 off 51 balls as the Proteas beat Pakistan by six wickets in their T20 World Cup warm-up match on Wednesday.
The Proteas beat Afghanistan by 41 runs in their T20 World Cup warm-up match in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
South Africa, perennial underachievers in ICC events, will go into the T20 World Cup unburdened by high expectations.
Temba Bavuma is expecting to play in the Proteas’ first T20 World Cup warm-up match against Afghanistan on Monday.
Chris Gayle, the self-styled ‘Universe Boss’, heads to the T20 World Cup determined to prove that he remains a headline act rather than an ageing crowd-puller living off his reputation.