Dylan Bettencourt
The Proteas’ abysmal batting performance highlighted a major flaw in the team’s make-up during their opening defeat against a struggling Australia in the T20 World Cup on Saturday.
They require major improvements if they are to avoid a Super 12 stage exit.
Australia claimed a five-wicket victory over the Proteas, beating the South African score of 118 with two balls to go as the Protea bowlers tried to rescue the day.
The South African cricket team have experienced a torrid time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic but they still went into this match as favourites as the Aussies have endured a disastrous year thus far. They lost their last five T20 fixtures before heading to Oman and the United Arab Emirates for this tournament.
Aiden Markham stood out on Saturday as his 40 runs off 36 balls was the most runs scored by an individual on the day but inconsistency among the batsmen proved to be the Proteas’ undoing.
The Proteas take on the West Indies on Tuesday in their second fixture of the tournament. The West Indies lost their opening fixture against England and both teams are looking to make a statement.
With the Super 12 stage of the tournament now underway, the tournament is set to begin heating up as the best teams in the world battle it out for the crown of T20 World Cup champion.
India are the overwhelming favourites, but their opening fixture is a mammoth clash against Pakistan who will be out to prove they have what it takes to beat their archrivals to the crown.
England were tipped as potential competition winners and their dominant victory over current champions West Indies on Saturday showed they can upset India and claim their second T20 World Cup crown after they won the tournament in 2010.
Image source: @T20WorldCup
