South Africa’s head coach Rob Walter stated that the Proteas are still favourites for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 despite losing all three T20Is against West Indies at home.
South Africa lost all three T20Is against West Indies in the absence of some key players like Kagiso Rabada and Ottniel Baartman missing due to light injuries while Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, and Marco Jansen missed out due to IPL 2024 commitment.
However, Walter believed that the series was no less than invaluable for some young players as the international exposure for them was a need of time.
“It was a great opportunity for the younger guys that came across to play against some world-class T20 players, which is great,” Walter told journalists on Tuesday afternoon.
“Would I like the preparation for a World Cup to look a lot different? Of course, I would, but it is what it is.
“This is the card that we were dealt with, so we have to be ready. But I absolutely believe we can win the World Cup. We’ve got the players to do that. And as I said, there are other teams that are in a similar position to us. We can’t bemoan our situation. We have to focus on what’s in front of us.”
He also talked about Anrich Nortje who appeared in the IPL saying that the conditions there weren’t the most favourable for bowlers before adding that he will be ready in time for T20 World Cup.
"They've been tough conditions for a fast bowler and [Nortje was] coming up against a side who were pretty brutal if you were off the mark. He probably experienced the exact same thing having come off a break into his first four games at the IPL. So, he probably landed himself in a perfect storm, which in many ways can harden you and get you even more ready," Walter added.
"I still don't believe he's very far away. A world-class performer finds a way and I don't doubt that he will as well."
Groups for T20 World Cup 2024
Group A: India, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, United States
Group B: England, Australia, Namibia, Scotland, Oman
Group C: New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda, Papua New Guinea
Group D: South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Nepal
