Proteas Interim Team director (Head Coach) Enoch Nkwe has declared that they are looking for nothing short of a series victory in their upcoming three-match T20 series against India starting on Sunday, September 15.
With 20 T20 International matches to play ahead of next year’s World T20 Cup in Australia, Nkwe says he believes that they have more than enough time to produce a team that can challenge for the honours next year.
Nkwe also emphasized that he believes his squad is good enough to compete and beat the hosts in their own back yard.
South Africa arrived in India on Tuesday with a new-look and youthful team which will be led by the experienced wicketkeeper, batsman Quinton de Kock for the T20 series in place of regular captain Faf du Plessis.
Nkwe reaffirmed that they strongly believe De Kock can successfully lead the team to victory.
The Proteas get their tour underway with their first T20 game scheduled for Dharamsala at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, where they have never played in before.
De Kock, who has been to Dharamsala during the IPL, says they are aware that they will need to adapt to the conditions quickly.
Asked how South Africa will approach their first game against a strong Indian side, Nkwe explains that they are looking forward to playing some exciting and entertaining cricket.
With more than 50% of the current Proteas T20 team having played IPL cricket in the last four years, Nkwe concludes that they are hoping those players’ experiences will come in handy in the series. – Report by Thando Gqamane
