Proteas primed to go one step further in Champions Trophy

After what turned into a brief layover, where they took in the fake beaches, some golf, a spot of shopping and generally different views in Dubai, the Proteas, because of the farcical logistical development caused by the ICC favouring India in the Champions Trophy, will fly back to Pakistan on Monday. 

The squad arrived in Dubai on Sunday afternoon, where they and Australia — who flew on Saturday — had to wait for the outcome of the fixture between New Zealand and India. The latter emerged triumphant by 44 runs, ensuring they will face Australia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium the first semifinal on Tuesday. South Africa will tackle New Zealand in Lahore the following day. 

Victory for India and South Africa would mean another flight back to Dubai for Temba Bavuma's side with the final scheduled for Dubai on Sunday. If Australia win, the final will take place in Lahore. 

Marco Jansen, named player of the match for his performance against England, was among the South African players who weren't fussed about the journey to the UAE, and were looking forward to getting out of the hotel to hit the fairways. 

Unlike in Pakistan — the nominal hosts of the competition — where players have been restricted to their hotels for security reasons, the Indian players have been living it up in their luxury accommodation in the Emirates. From a playing perspective, they’ve only had to adapt to and train at one venue while not being inconvenienced by boarding flights for any of the group games or the semifinal. 

The ICC agreed that India did not have to play in Pakistan after the BCCI cited safety concerns.

Besides Rassie van der Dussen sarcastically reiterating the point that India had a massive advantage from playing at one venue throughout the tournament, the South African players were largely relaxed about the prospect of playing on what is a spin-friendly surface in Dubai.

The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore offers different challenges, particularly for the bowlers. “Just personally, as a batter, I'd prefer to play in Lahore,” Van der Dussen chirped before the destination of the semifinal was known. 

“The bowlers are into it a bit more (in Dubai),” said Van der Dussen. “It takes some seam movement and there is spin. The outfield is not as fast as Pakistan grounds.”

Neither South Africa nor New Zealand played any of group matches in Lahore, though the two teams did meet there in a triangular series that preceded the Champions Trophy.

The Black Caps won that match, comfortably chasing 305, with Kane Williamson scoring an unbeaten 133. Matthew Breetzke, who was part of the South African squad in that mini-event, made 150 on debut, but he was only filling in while the likes of Van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton were given an extra break after the SA20. 

In fact only four members of South Africa's Champions Trophy squad, including Bavuma, played in that match. 

South Africa’s seven-wicket win over a distracted England on Saturday ensured top spot in group B, but no significant advantage in light of the ludicrous travel arrangements.

In the two group matches that were played in Lahore, Australia chased 352 to beat England, and then Afghanistan shocked the 2019 World Cup winners, beating them by eight runs, after scoring 325/7.

It shows we are consistent as a team. The challenge is to go that step further. As a team we will continue to try to do the right things, be good people off the field and hard-working individuals and hopefully that translates to guys putting in match-winning performances.

—  Rassie van der Dussen

Proteas left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who bowled a lovely 10-over spell against England, taking 2/35, said his main focus on the batter-friendly surfaces in Pakistan was defence. 

“For me it’s just about bowling as many dot balls as I can and trying to understand what the batter is trying to do, by staying one step ahead,” he said.

It is the third ICC tournament in a row that South Africa have made it into the semifinals, but their failure to get their hands on a trophy has led to doubts about whether they have the mental strength to finally succeed.

“It shows we are consistent as a team. The challenge is to go that step further,” Van der Dussen said. “As a team we will continue to try to do the right things, be good people off the field and hard-working individuals and hopefully that translates to guys putting in match-winning performances.”

Van der Dussen isn’t bothered by South Africa’s history either, and offered a forthright response when asked if the Proteas should still be regarded as ‘chokers’ if they don’t win the competition.

“The chokers thing doesn’t define us, that’s in the past. Some teams lose and they’re not chokers, so I’m not sure why it’s only us who are called chokers.”