World Twenty20: Butler urges teammates to focus on SA
England know they cannot afford to dwell on a tournament-opening defeat to West Indies as they prepare to face South Africa at the World Twenty20.
A spectacular unbeaten hundred from Chris Gayle ensured the Windies eased to a target of 183 in Nagpur on Wednesday.
As a result, Eoin Morgan’s side already have a stiff task on their hands to progress from the Super 10 phase, with only two semi-final places available in each five-team group.
However, England were beaten in their opening match at the 2010 World T20 – a tournament they went on to win – and wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler is eager to remain positive ahead of Friday’s meeting with the Proteas in Mumbai.
“If we lose one game and win five in a row and win the World Cup, we’d be happy with that,” said Buttler.
“We just have to park that game [against West Indies]. We know it’s gone now. To advance in this tournament we need to focus all our energy on the next game.”
South Africa will be playing their first match at the tournament and can take confidence from winning each of the two home T20s they played against England in February.
DE VILLIERS THE DANGERMAN
After suffering at the hands of one batting superstar in Gayle, England would appear to have reason to fear AB de Villiers this time around.
In addition to thrashing 71 from 29 balls as the Proteas hammered England in Johannesburg last month, De Villiers has produced sensational innings on his last two visits to the Wankhede Stadium.
Having struck 133 not out from just 59 deliveries for Royal Challengers Bangalore in an Indian Premier League fixture in May 2015, De Villiers made a 61-ball 119 to help South Africa post 438-4 in an October one-day international against India in Mumbai.
MORGAN MINDSET UNCHANGED, DU PLESSIS HOPES TO EXPLOIT PRESSURE
Following England’s defeat to the Windies, Morgan was asked if the South Africa fixture was now a must-win for his side. “We look at all games as a must-win game,” he replied.
Faf Du Plessis stated: “If we were in their shoes and we lost the first game, you would feel that pressure going into the second game because you know if you lose you’re possibly going to be out.”
ANOTHER RUN-FEST ON THE CARDS?
A total of 182 proved inadequate for England in their first Super 10 match and another high-scoring encounter appears likely given Mumbai’s short boundaries and generally pacy pitches.
OPTA STATS
– These sides have met on four previous occasions at World T20s, with South Africa winning three of those meetings.
– The team batting second has won each of South Africa’s last seven completed T20 internationals, with the Proteas picking up five wins in this period.
