With the South African team keen to shrug-off the chokers tag, star batsman Hashim Amla (in pic) has said the experienced campaigners in the squad will need to step up their performance when they take on Sri lanka in the World Cup quarter-finals at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
“There is no doubt that when you get to the knockout stages you want to be the guy to score the big runs to put the team in a good position,” Amla said at the squad’s training session held in Blacktown, here on Sunday. “Everybody in the team, especially the senior guys, want to be the guys to make the big plays for us; with the bat, ball and in the field,” he added.
Amla says the squad is motivated to improve on the failures of past World Cups and will be embracing the expectation of the occasion. “We are well aware that we haven’t won a knockout game and that serves as good motivation for the guys to make it a first for South African cricket.
The Proteas will have to curb Sri lanka’s X-factor players in Kumar Sangakkara and lasith Malinga, opponents they have faced several times over the last two years. “They (Sri lanka) are a wonderful team, they compete very well at World Cups,” Amla said.
“They seem to be playing good cricket. Thankfully we have played them in the recent past, both teams know each other well. A one-off game like this will be played with good intensity, it’s going to be a good game,” he added.
Indian batsmen in fine touch: laxman
New Delhi: With most of the Indian batsmen striking form in the ongoing cricket World Cup, former India player VVS laxman believes that the team’s batting line-up was primed to do well in the knock-out stage.
India rode Suresh Raina’s unbeaten 110 to chase down a 288-run target against Zimbabwe in their last league game to end on top of Pool B. They meet Bangladesh in their quarter-final match at the MCG on Thursday. “I am very happy to see Suresh Raina amongst the run scorers. India’s top-four have had enough exposure so far and they seem to be in a good touch,” laxman, who is a part of the Star Sports Hindi commentary panel for the World Cup, said.
Keep an eye on AB: Sl PM to team
Colombo: Wishing the Sri lankan team ahead of their knock-out quarterfinal clash against South Africa, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today warned the Angelo Mathews-led side to “keep an eye on Proteas skipper AB de Villiers” who has been in rampaging form in the tournament.
“You have become the pride of our nation, we in turn request you to become victorious”, Wickremesinghe told the players ahead of their knockout match in Sydney.
Third-placed Sri lanka will not have it easy against second-placed South Africa, from pool B, at the SCG on Wednesday. “You can do it, keep an eye on De Villiers”. Wickremesinghe said the islanders could beat South Africa if weaknesses are studied and strategies planned accordingly.