Several players will be hoping to impress the selectors when the Rest of South Africa take on India at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Thursday.
Among those hoping to force their way into the national team are batsmen Hashim Amla and Neil McKenzie, fast bowler Dale Steyn and all-rounder Johan van der Wath. But coach Vincent Barnes says although players will be trying to impress the selectors with outstanding individual performances, he expects them to work well as a team.
”We haven’t had much time to prepare for this match, but we’ve had some good practice time, and the vibe in the team is very good,” said Barnes.
”I’ve been involved in a number of these matches, with South Africa A and also with the Rest of South Africa, and there will always be some very good individual performances.
”Yes, the guys are aware that this is a chance for them to impress the selectors, but they also know that they need the rest of the team to back them up — they need someone to take the catches, for instance, if they are bowling, and they also know that they need to support the other members of the team.”
Barnes said some of the players might find it difficult to take the step up to the next level.
”They are all in very good form, and have been putting in some impressive performances in the MTN competition,” he said.
”But this is a match against an international team, and they will have to dig deep and not allow themselves to be overawed by the occasion. It’s very much a mental thing — there is no point in someone taking 50 overs to score 50 runs — that certainly won’t impress the selectors, and it doesn’t do the team any good.”
He said Johan van der Wath, who had a bit of a hamstring injury, was looking good and should be fit to play on Thursday.
”Obviously we will check him out in the morning, but I don’t think there’ll be any problem. Arno Jacobs won’t be playing — he has split the webbing on his hand. But otherwise we have no injury problems.”
The day/night match starts at 2.30pm on Thursday afternoon. — Sapa
Rest of South Africa Squad: Hashim Amla , Neil McKenzie, Alviro Petersen, Ashwell Prince (captain), Jacques Rudolph, Dale Steyn, Roger Telemachus, Thandi Tshabalala, Alfonso Thomas, Johan van der Wath, Morne van Wyk. 12th man, Albie Morkel.