Faf hopes stats will serve SA well at SCG

2015 World Cup

Cricket365
February 26, 2015

Past success will serve as timely reminder for South Africa's batting unit when they take on the West Indies in their World Cup Group B match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday.

The top order has struggled in the opening matches of the tournament, but will take confidence from their impressive record of 28 hundreds in their last 34 matches. The Proteas' most recent match saw them lose to India, all out for 177.

Number three batsman Faf du Plessis said: "It’s obvious that after the game the other day we were disappointed. What you can reflect on are some of the stats on our batting unit, we have scored the most hundreds over the last year.

"Our average as a top six is also the highest in the last year so consistency is always a thing you look at, stats don't lie. We have to look at the positives, look at what we have been doing this year, we batted brilliantly over the last 18 months."

The Proteas are aware of the importance of a win against the West Indies following their 130-run loss to India, as their World Cup campaign picks up momentum with matches against Ireland, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to come.

Du Plessis says it will be important to dismiss Chris Gayle early on in his innings, following his world record innings of 215 against Zimbabwe on Tuesday. In January, the Proteas beat the Windies 4-1 in their ODI series.

Faf added: "It’s unfortunate that Zimbabwe decided to bowl Chris Gayle into some good form. We played a series against them in South Africa and we know what kind of team they are, they a dangerous and have a lot of match-winners. We are confident going in the match."

Early morning showers forced the Proteas indoors for their training session at the SCG on Wednesday. The T20 captain feels the optional training session will benefit the squad, particularly the bowlers, who took some strain during the high temperatures and intensity in Melbourne on Sunday.

Du Plessis said when asked if training indoors was a problem: "Not really. These days we are used to playing series’ where there are one or two days of practises.

"We would obviously like the practice to get some time to get plans in place but we have had a lot of practice sessions, one extra session is not going to make a huge difference."