ICC World T20 - Rain delays start of Sri Lanka-South Africa match – Cricket News Roundup – Part 1 – September 22, 2012
Rain has delayed the start of the first marquee match of the ongoing ICC World T20 at Hambantota, where hosts Sri Lanka were scheduled to meet South Africa.
Both teams have already qualified for the Super Eights after beating Zimbabwe in their respective opening games of the tournament. Sri Lanka inflicted a 82-run defeat, courtesy a record 6 for 8 for Ajantha Mendis, while South Africa registered an easy 10-wicket win, with veteran Jacques Kallis taking a four-wicket haul.
Regarding their ability to handle spin, South African skipper AB de Villiers said that they are not intimidated by the Mendis factor. “..We've seen him perform under pressure and seen him break down under pressure as well. So hopefully, we can get the upper hand against him and not let him bowl to us," de Villiers said at the pre-match conference.
Discarded England player, Kevin Pietersen, has indicated that he is likely to return to the English fold when his side travels to New Zealand early next year.
KP had been omitted from the playing XI after it was revealed that he sent derogatory remarks, regarding the then English Test skipper Andrew Strauss, to some of his friends in the South African camp during a recently concluded home series.
He was consequently left out of the ICC World T20, but talks have been ongoing between the player’s representative and the ECB in a bid to find a possible solution to the player’s current exile.
"Hoping all's sorted and I'm on the NZ tour in Feb," Pietersen wrote on Twitter. Meanwhile, Strauss has confirmed that the Pietersen has apologized to him. "It was good that we spoke and got a few things out in the open," Strauss told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Following their massive win against Bangladesh, Ross Taylor, the New Zealand skipper, said that he is looking forward for a repeat performance when his side takes on Pakistan.
The Kiwi crushed the Bengali Tigers in their opening Group D match, where Brendon McCullum recorded the highest T20 score – 123- to help his side post 191. In reply, the sub-continent minnows were bundled out on a meagre 132.
“We prepared really well for the Bangladesh game and I'm sure we'll do the same against Pakistan," said Taylor.
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