The Proteas face England in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy at The Oval today 19 June. England finished top of Group A after Sri Lanka beat Australia at The Oval on Monday.
The Proteas face England in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy at The Oval today 19 June. England finished top of Group A after Sri Lanka beat Australia at The Oval on Monday.
India, winners of Group B, will play Sri Lanka in the second semi-final in Cardiff on Thursday 20 June.
The Proteas squad for today has had two low-key training sessions at Dulwich College since arriving in London on Saturday, and have been focusing on improving their skills in preparation for the unexpected.
Proteas seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe said on Monday that the team was “minding its own business” as they continued to put in the final touches leading into the match.
The absence of Dale Steyn in the first two matches of the tournament gave Tsotsobe the extra responsibility as the frontline bowler of the attack, and as the tournament has progressed he has shown that he can thrive under the added pressure.
AB de Villiers addressed the media ahead of what is arguably one of his stiffest tests as captain, and lacked no motivation of finally breaking the knock-out hoodoo.
“We are privileged to be in this position,” De Villiers said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
“As a team we are humbled by the fact that we made it past two virtual knock-out matches and into the semi-finals. We have an opportunity to make our country proud and we are going to take full advantage of that.”
Follow Grocott's Mail Sport on Facebook for regular updates during the match!
