'India win was vital boost'
South Africa's thrilling three-wicket win over India was the perfect
psychological boost the team needed after the shattering loss to
England, Proteas coach Corrie van Zyl said Monday.
South Africa were staring down the barrel when India raced to 267 for
one in Nagpur before the hosts slipped to 296 all out. They then hit 13
off the last over to secure a victory which means they can wrap up a
quarter-final spot on Tuesday by beating Ireland.
"The win against India was good for us and our morale. It was a
psychological boost for us and a very important game in the tournament,"
said the South Africa coach.
Available
Van Zyl said he would field the best available team against Ireland,
who have already upset England.
"We are fully aware of what Ireland have done. It's important to
prepare not just from a tactical but from a mental point of view," he
said.
"Ireland are tough opponents. It's not just their fielding but how
they are playing in the tournament. They have really played well." South
Africa, with six points from four games, need a win on Tuesday to book a
quarter-final berth.
When asked whether South Africa were aiming to top the group, van Zyl
said: "We are going to take it one game at a time. We are not looking
far too ahead now. Our focus is on Ireland."
Worries
The coach also shrugged off injury worries over AB de Villiers and
Imran Tahir who could both miss Tuesday's match.
In-form batsman de Villiers is suffering from a thigh injury while
leg-spinner Tahir fractured his left thumb in the match against England
and did not play against India.
Middle-order batsman de Villiers is his team's highest scorer with
318 runs with two hundreds and one half-century, while Pakistan-born
Tahir is South Africa's leading wicket-taker with 11.
"We have a 15-man squad and we feel each member can represent South
Africa on any given day. Hopefully, in one of these days he (Tahir) will
be fit," van Zyl said on Monday.
"AB has gone for a scan this morning. We are awaiting the full
medical report, but I don't think it's major." KOLKATA, Tuesday (AFP)
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