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South Africa coach Rob Walter focuses on team performance despite not playing all matches at the same venue like India. Heinrich Klaasen’s return from injury boosts the team.
India will play all their matches in Dubai. (AP Photo)
South Africa head coach Rob Walter doesn’t want to spend any ‘energy’ worrying about the ‘disadvantage’ of not getting the chance to play all their matches at the same ground like India.
Proteas’ Rassie van der Dussen was the first player participating in the 2025 Champions Trophy to point it out. Since then, it has become a major talking point in press conferences for almost every team in the tournament.
The hybrid model was decided upon after the BCCI refused to travel to Pakistan due to security and political concerns. India will play their semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and even the final, if they reach that far. Other teams have to play at least some of their matches across different venues in Pakistan.
“If we spend our energy worrying about a disadvantage, we spend less energy thinking about ourselves and what we need to be doing,” Walter said on the eve of South Africa’s final group game against England.
“The scheduling is the scheduling. India obviously have been in Dubai in the same venue, in the same place, and other teams haven’t. Whether that turns out to be an advantage or not will remain to be seen. We have to concentrate on spending all our energy thinking about how we’re going to get through our next step which is England and then wherever that takes us from there,” he added.
Walter delighted to have ‘super player’ Heinrich Klaasen back
Middle-order batter Heinrich Klaasen has recovered from the elbow injury that sidelined him for the opener against Afghanistan. Walter is delighted to have him back but emphasizes that he’s a piece of the bigger puzzle, who fares better because of his teammates.
“He’s a super player isn’t he? And I think that you probably notice his strength also based on who the guys are around him that allow him to play that way. He’s got a skillset at the moment that is right up there with the world’s best, I think we all agree with that. And it’s great to have him in your team because you know how destructive he can be,” Walter said.
“But I know that the way he plays and the destructive nature of his game is also based on the confidence of the people around him and the way that they play. And so, the whole piece of the puzzle is important in allowing him and freeing him up to play the best version of his game and be his best version. We are certainly hoping for a number of those knocks in the next 10 days or so,” he added.
