Proteas

Experimentation, composure and execution marked the Proteas' seven-wicket victory over India, writes RYAN VREDE. Making such performances a defining feature ...

The bold and innovative approach is a breath of fresh air. He was not out in nine of his 16 IPL innings, and has not been dismissed in 10 of his last 21 T20Is for the Proteas. This thinking should be applauded and encouraged, irrespective of a poor outcome, as the Proteas plan for scenarios where their response could be the difference between victory and defeat at the World Cup. Indeed, a strong argument can be made that had it not been for Miller taking 19 off the 13th over, we’d be discussing another limp Proteas chase. And if Van der Dussen was South Africa’s man of the moment, Miller has grown into a man for every moment. This is what Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller did in pursuit of South Africa’s highest-ever run-chase in T20 cricket.

South Africa beat India by seven wickets in the first T201 at Arun Jaitely Stadium, thanks to a top-class batting effort from Rassie van der Dussen and David ...

“David just brought his form from the IPL straight into this game. Van der Dussen also praised David Miller, saying the experienced left-hander relieved some of the pressure he was under following his sluggish start. To lead Proteas to a historic run chase, van der Dussen slammed 75* off 46 balls, while David Miller struck 64* off 31 balls.

Wayne Parnell would be the first to admit that he still has unfinished business at international level.

At the start of their tenure this group of Proteas had to try and convince the public that they may not contain the superstars of yesteryear, but they were able to win games of cricket through hard work and preparation. However, on another night he is caught and leaves a debutant needing to get almost 14 runs to the over when he walks to the crease for the first time. He is the most senior batter in the side - both in terms of games and runs - and the team should be built around him. 1008 runs at 42 and strike-rate of 132.80. And we all know the game plan. He showed it once again when he walked to the crease in the ninth over on Thursday. Miller is at the peak of his career. A precocious talent that arguably achieved even more in his youth than current wunderkid Dewald Brevis, Wayne Parnell would be the first to admit that he still has unfinished business at international level.

South Africa chased down a 200-plus total for only the third time in their history in T20 cricket. We look at other instances they hauled in tall T20 ...

This reverse though took place at the start of England's white-ball revolution under Trevor Bayliss and Eoin Morgan. By this point of this tour, England had one foot on the flight after winning the Test series and relinquishing a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series. A century isn't always a guarantee of success in T20 cricket, and India learnt the hard way in this series opener in the north of India. The 438 game and the opening game of the 2007 World Cup earned SA the moniker of excellent chasers, but below the surface, they've been anything but that. In what was the first T20 World Cup game, Chris Gayle immediately made his mark in the format with 117 off 57 balls in what was a fire-starter of an innings. It proved T20 cricket was a batter's game, but that total has only been bettered once in the T20 World Cup and 13 times since.

After he took time to get going during the seven-wicket win over India on Thursday in the first of five T20 matches, Proteas batter Rassie van der Dussen is ...

“It was about trusting the game plan. “David batted really well to get me through a difficult patch there in the middle but we had clear plans and we just communicated well. “It was a tough game but good toss to win, Temba made the right call there.