South Africa’s participation in Zimbabwe T20 tri-series attracts criticism – Cricket News Update
Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) decision to confirm the team’s participation in an unofficial T20 tri-series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 and Bangladesh has drawn mixed reactions, with many terming it a competition with no value or significance.
The Proteas’ participation in the event is part of coach Gary Kirsten’s plan to get the team’s momentum going in the T20 format prior to the upcoming http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 T20 World Cup in September this year.
“(Kirsten) is trying to get as many T20 games as possible ahead of the World Cup,” explained http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Vincent-Alexander-Barnes-c95319, CSA high performance manager and selector. “It's about giving as many people as possible an opportunity, and the calendar doesn't allow for another
chance.”
However, former SA selector Hugh Paige has slammed the move, saying he was “amazed that we would go and play against two lowly-ranked sides prior to going to England.” Following their tri-series venture, South Africa are due to tour http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 in July, and
Paige voiced his concern that the tri-series would prove counterproductive for the team as they went into their Test series against the Poms.
“Our players are good enough to adapt to the change of format, but more Twenty20 cricket you play the more likely you are to pick up little ill-disciplines that would require you to spend time playing the longer form of the game to undo,” he said.
The Proteas are currently at number 2 on the ICC’s Test team rankings, directly below England, and the extended-overs leg of the upcoming tour holds special significance, as the South Africans attempt to end their opponents’ reign at the top.
However, before they can challenge the Poms, the South African side will be going up against Bangladesh in what is expected to be a fairly one-sided second match of the Zimbabwe Twenty20 Triangular Series at the Harare Sports Club today on June 19.
Prior to the series, stand-in skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 (who attained victories
against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757’s performance in the series remains to be seen.
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