Sammy talks up a whammy

28 January 2015 - 09:01 By Telford Vice
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HASH HIT: Hashim Amla practising at Supersport Park yesterday
HASH HIT: Hashim Amla practising at Supersport Park yesterday
Image: DUIF DU TOIT/GALLO IMAGES

Ahead of their final ODI against the Proteas at Centurion today, West Indies captain Darren Sammy added to the pressure South Africa are under in never having won a knockout match at a World Cup.

"I don't mind a series loss if we beat SA in the World Cup," Sammy said of the one-day series that was decided after the first three games, all won by the Proteas.

"We all know when it comes to the World Cup, once we get to the knockout stages, we tend to move on."

Of their nine knockout games at the World Cup, West Indies have won six - including the finals in 1975 and 1979. Among their successes is a quarterfinal win over SA in 1996.

"If we win two [West Indies won the fourth ODI at St George's Park on Sunday] and put SA's bowlers under pressure, that could be a psychological edge going to the World Cup," Sammy said.

AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn will be rested today, which makes the Windies' task a whole lot easier .

Today marks Quinton de Kock's return from more than a month of inaction because of an ankle injury. In 35 ODI innings, he has scored six centuries and featured in nine century stands - six of them with Amla.

The forecast today for Centurion is a 72% chance of thundershowers.

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