Exclusive: Aiden Markram and Rob Walter Preview the Proteas’ T20I World Cup Campaign
Exclusive insights from Aiden Markram and Rob Walter on the Proteas’ T20I World Cup preparations after a challenging series loss to the West Indies. Discover their thoughts on team readiness, player availability, and the unique pitch conditions in the USA and West Indies.
The Proteas come off a disappointing 3-0 T20 series loss to the West Indies in the lead up to the World Cup. They missed a few key players as they were performing in the IPL. The prominent players who missed the series include captain Aidan Markram only arrived Tuesday evening, few days prior to their first game.
White ball coach Rob Walter and captain Markram give their thoughts on their preparations, and assessment of recent performances in the lead up to the World Cup. Currently the squad is preparing in Fort Lauderdale, United States. As the first match approaches, you can see our list of online cricket betting sites to check out how the betting companies think South Africa will do.
“It was a tough series against the West Indies as both teams missed a few players. The loss to the West Indies was a great opportunity to blood youngsters. We got a team with a lot of experience, coming together at different stages (IPL players joining later) and that’s actually quite similar to most teams,” Walter told SportsBoom.com.
“I definitely wished the preparation would look different but it is the card that we have been dealt. The 50-over (World Cup) looked different to this but it is what it is. So far we had scenario based training, especially with the IPL players arriving late.
Image Credits: DFA
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“We in a different situation to them regarding having access to those players and there are a number of reasons for that, some of it is well above my pay grade. As the head coach, it would be ideal to have all the players, do the things you want to and get yourself ready for the World Cup.
“Although I am comfortable with the players we got and the maturity they have but definitely would’ve liked to have all the players unfortunately that is not our reality,” said Walter.
Winning the World Cup
“I definitely feel we have what it takes to win the World Cup, it is the World Cup and the level of cricket is high. This group has been together for quite a few years and we have shown in many performances that we are capable in beating the best in the world,” said Markram.
“I am quietly confident this team has what it takes to win the first elusive one and potentially quite a few will follow after that.”
The Unknown Factor – pitch conditions
As the event will be played in the West Indies and United States, there will be an element of the unknown, as most teams have never played in the United States. The Proteas will play 3 of the 4 group games at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, United States. The side had an internal game at the stadium during the week.
“If I take a look at how we operated in our internal match, the wicket looks pretty good for batting. I don’t think the wicket will be as quick as they are at home (South Africa) and Australia. We will have to pick up as much info as possible, watch other teams warm up matches that will be played in New York where we will be playing our games.
We certainly have to adapt a lot quicker than we used to in conditions we don’t know. Coach Rob will be heading to watch the warm up matches in New York but we will be here watching on the TV, as we will be training here before our first game”, said Markram.
South Africa will start their campaign against Sri Lanka at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 3.
Nathan has over a decade of knowledge and experience, both as a former professional sportsperson and journalist. Nathan, a former radio sports presenter and producer is an award-winning community radio sports producer/presenter.