South Africa will lock horns with the USA in the first encounter of the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 in Antigua today.
The USA cricket team has surprised the cricket world as they have been amazing in their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign winning against Canada and Pakistan. They lost their third group game against India and their fourth was scheduled against Ireland but it was cancelled due to rain.
Their most shocking act was defeating Pakistan in a super over where they outclassed the 2022 T20 World Cup runners-up.
The USA finished second in their group, just one place behind Rohit Sharma’s India and South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram has admitted that the Proteas will need to be their best against the USA today.
"Yeah, they've been really good I think not just them but a lot of the people will sort of say smaller nations, but they're not and they've proved that they're not anymore. So, we're going to 100% have to be on our best game tomorrow too, hopefully for things to go well, but I'm excited about that challenge," Markram stated in a press conference.
Markram also praised the USA side and called them “explosive” ahead of their encounter in Antigua.
"You haven't watched much cricket to be very honest with you It's been it's been pretty busy, but you catch a few highlights here, and then it looks pretty explosive - so a good seam attack, good couple of spinners and then an explosive batting order that any one of those guys on their day can make life really difficult for you.
"So, trying to have plans in place to combat that, to keep them quiet ultimately to get them out as well. But again, a fantastic opportunity and exciting challenge for us tomorrow," concluded Markram.
The Proteas have been undefeated in the tournament so far as they won against Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Bangladesh and Nepal and now find themselves grouped with USA, England and West Indies in Group 2 of the Super 8 round.
