South Africa 'not fazed' by big defeat

On a wet and windy Monday afternoon, with pressure mounting on a batting line-up that has been known to open up when prised, South Africa should have wanted to be anywhere but a cricket field. But they hunted down 72 runs in 10 overs against Sri Lanka despite a familiar wobble, and admitted the tense situation had got them into a competitive mood.

Instead, it was a on a balmy, breezy Wednesday that South Africa really played like they did not want to be on the park, and they did not mind admitting that the defeat to New Zealand did not matter. "We are not too fazed about the result. It's about time in the middle, overs under the belt," JP Duminy, the top-scorer in the loss said. "Everybody got a bit out of it. Obviously it's nice to take wins away but we are happy with where we are."

Does that also mean other teams need not to be "too fazed" with the way South Africa wormed themselves out of trouble two days' ago? Of course not, according to Duminy.

The batting line-up's show of resilience against Sri Lanka and defiance in the latter stages against New Zealand are signs of progress that South Africa promise will still be there when the tournament begins. "We've identified that No.7, 8, 9 and 10 are going to be crucial so it was good for us to get some time out in the middle and build a partnership," Duminy said of his 121-run, seventh-wicket stand with Vernon Philander. "We gathered together and said, 'Let's build it 10 runs at a time. It worked out nicely."

With the match all but lost, Duminy and Philander could concentrate on scoring at their own pace, something they may not be able to do in a real crunch situation. Philander was also there when South Africa scored at the required run rate of more than seven run an over to beat Sri Lanka, so he understands the dynamics of a lower-order partnership.

A player who does not have the same first-hand experience is Farhaan Behardien, but he was unable to get it because a back niggle kept him out of action. Behardien hurt himself at Tuesday's optional training session but Duminy said he "should be available for selection on Sunday." If he is, Behardien will also add variety to an attack that suffered against an aggressive New Zealand. South Africa "aren't too fazed about" about the co-hosts' form at the moment either because they won't have to meet them until the knockouts.

They also "aren't too fazed" about the upward curve Zimbabwe, their opponents in the first group game, are on. After putting New Zealand in an awkward position on Monday, Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in Lincoln to complete a short but intense period of preparation that also included three matches against New Zealand domestic side Northern Districts.

"It will be a big confidence booster for Zimbabwe but I wouldn't read too much in," Duminy said. "The match intensity (in warm-ups compared to actual games) makes a big difference. Come Sunday, we will be ready to go and what has happened won't really faze us."

Duminy, himself, is ready, with runs to his name and overs under his belt, but while he acknowledged there were some areas to tighten, he believed the team was ready. "Personally, I am in a good space. And as a group we were pretty good at the back end," he said. "In terms of bowling skills, we need to sharpen up a bit in the first Powerplay, and batting wise we don't want to lose as many wickets as we did upfront. But come Sunday we will be ready."