The Proteas have made the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad their home away from home.
Image: AFP
Amid the growing talk of South Africa’s travelling advantages in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince reiterated that they, despite having enjoyed a clear advantage, has no control over the scheduling.
Throughout the week, the talk has been about South Africa’s advantages in the ongoing showpiece event. The Proteas have played five of their six matches in one venue, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This has created a conversation that the Proteas have had the advantage of not having to travel as much as other teams, and that perhaps their unbeaten streak is a result of their familiarity with the conditions in Ahmedabad.
What is motivating the conversation further is that South Africa has beaten India and the West Indies in a very dominant fashion, winning by 76 runs and nine wickets respectively. South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince reminded the world that the Proteas are not in charge of the scheduling for ICC events and that it is the ICC that has done the scheduling.
“Look, we all have our different opinions about who's been advantaged and who's been disadvantaged in the tournament. People have their opinions at the end of the day. We are visitors in this World Cup. We don't draw up the schedule. The schedules have been drawn up by the ICC,” Prince told the media on Saturday.
“Look, at the end of the day, you know that for us not having to travel and playing in Ahmedabad for a few of our games, I think it obviously helps not having to travel that much, but as I say, drawing up the schedule is out of our control.”
Prince, as batting coach, is preparing the Proteas for their battle against Zimbabwe at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday.
The former Proteas batsman acknowledged that Zimbabwe, despite South Africa being the favourites as they are unbeaten in the tournament, could certainly beat the Proteas. Prince highlighted that the shortest format of the game levels the playing field and allows the underdogs to beat big teams at times.
“I think when you talk T20 cricket, it's the shortest format of the game, it always presents the biggest opportunity for a shock result, that's what I believe. Having said that, Zimbabwe have got some dangerous players in their ranks,” Prince said.
"Tomorrow, they'll have some dangerous players in their ranks, and obviously, we've seen how well they've done in this tournament.
“So, if you compare that to perhaps a Test match where you have to sustain a high level of play for longer periods of time, when it comes down to a T20 match, you need three or four guys to be firing on a day, and they can tilt the results in their favour.
“So, looking at tomorrow's match, we certainly are aware of all the dangerous players they have in their team. As far as we're concerned, we know what we've done well so far in the competition, and we have to make sure that we maintain those levels—and to maintain those levels generally is about not dropping down your intensity and sticking to the same processes that have brought us to where we are.”
The contest between South Africa and Zimbabwe is scheduled to start at 11.30am SA time.