Temba Bavuma: Proteas not thinking about Adelaide implosion ahead of Dutch game
16th October 2023
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Proteas captain Temba Bavuma insists he does not think that the defeat to the Netherlands at a previous ICC event will be on his team's mind ahead of their World Cup encounter in Dharamsala.
The Dutch famously shocked the Proteas at the T20 World Cup in Adelaide last year that knocked Bavuma's side out of the tournament in Australia.
South Africa have made a promising start to the current 50-over tournament in India, toppling Sri Lanka and Australia in convincing fashion in their opening two matches.
Bavuma revealed that his team want to take the same mindset and apply their skills from the first two victories into the game against the Dutch as they look to maintain their perfect record.
The Netherlands have lost to Pakistan and New Zealand so far in India but the Proteas skipper is wary of the opposition.
"We definitely won't be taking them lightly. There was a T20 World Cup last year, so a 50 over World Cup now, different format, different ask in terms of your skills, being able to do your skills for a longer period of time," Bavuma said.
"So, I think that's something that I think we all need to appreciate. We played them in South Africa, and I think our victories there were emphatic in my view.
"So, I think in terms of the confidence and belief within the team without us being arrogant or loud about it, I think it's still up there.
"We still respect the opposition, not just the Netherlands, but any opposition that you come up with against an international level.
"But we'll be coming into the game with the same mindset that we had against Sri Lanka and that we had against Australia."
The outfield at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala has been the subject of plenty of debate during the tournament with teams expressing concerns about picking up injuries.
The Proteas have had a fielding session at the venue and Bavuma said his charges might have to be "a bit more cautious" when diving in the outfield.
"I think the field is a bit patchy. We did have a fielding practice last night, and to be honest, it didn't play as bad as it really looked - but I guess we'll see how it goes within the game," the South Africa skipper said.
"We have spoken about, you know, trying to be a bit more cautious. Maybe changing your diving technique, I don't know how easy that is to do when you are in the heat of the moment.
"I guess guys will just have to I guess just pay a bit more attention to that - But yeah, when we fielded yesterday, it wasn't all too bad."
