South Africa all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius has credited the success in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 to the team efforts, saying they don't rely on one or two superstars but have managed to come up with combined performance so far.
South Africa didn’t get off to a good start at the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2021, having lost the opener to Australia, but they bounced back brilliantly with two back-to-back wins over the West Indies and Sri Lanka and sit on the second spot in Group A with a positive net run rate in the points table.
Previously, the Proteas were reliant on a few big names, but that is no longer the case, and Pretorius, who has five different slower variations in his arsenal, has also stated that important contributions are coming from the entire team, making them a more dangerous team at the T20 World Cup 2021.
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As South Africa is gearing up to take on Bangladesh in their crucial match in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, November 2, the all-rounder said his team is fired-up to perform their best to get 2 more points before facing red-hot England with the aim of reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2021.
Pretorius told reporters on Monday, “Our whole team, batting, bowling, whatever is contributing every time. We are not relying on one or two superstars to get us over the line. We are in a very good space, but we are not taking anything for granted.”
He continued, “We need to keep preparing well and then bring all the intensity and passion when we get onto the field. Bangladesh is the good side and very dangerous in these conditions. I'm sure everybody will bring their highest intensity possible.”
Pretorius has been mostly bowling at the death at the T20 World Cup and has taken six wickets and conceded at a rate of 8.64 and has managed to surprise batters with his variations.
He said of the job, “The danger at the death is being predictable so I'm trying to vary my pace and my lengths quite a bit, even though my line is the same. I'm trying to keep the guys guessing and trying to make sure I am bowling to their guys' plan Cs and Ds instead of their plan A.”
The Proteas star concluded, “It's not an ego battle out there; it's trying to be effective as much as possible. I am willing to do that ugly job. It doesn't necessarily always have to look the prettiest but it's effective. And I have built my whole career on that.”
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Meanwhile, Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo has admitted that morale has been low after three straight defeats but hopes for a good show against South Africa on Tuesday.
Domingo told reporters, “Obviously morale has been low after those losses and knowing that our chances in the World Cup are probably over. But we'll be ready to play. Mentally the guys will be up for it and know it's an important phase of the competition.”
He signed off, “Having worked with South Africa for a long time myself, we know that there's always a question mark regarding the way they play spin. Hopefully, the conditions will help us a little bit.”
(With Reuters Inputs)
