Proteas vice-captain welcomes momentum

Proteas vice-captain welcomes momentum

Proteas vice-captain Keshav Maharaj praised the team's professionalism in their nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in a T20 World Cup warm-up match in Brisbane on Monday.

The Proteas made slight work of the Kiwis, who were bowled out for 98 inside 18 overs as Maharaj grabbed figures of 3/17 in three overs, along with doubles from Wayne Parnell and Tabraiz Shamsi.

The left-arm spinner felt the performance was important for momentum going into the World Cup, following their T20 and One-Day International series defeats to India earlier this month.

"I think India was a severely long tour for us, from a mental point of view. Having said that, coming back from two series losses, it was important to try to create some momentum in these warm-up games," Maharaj told Cricket SA media.

"Warm-up games can be monotonous and lose its intensity, but I thought the guys were very professional out on the field today."

An opening stand of 66 runs between Reeza Hendricks and Rilee Rossouw set the perfect tone for the chase before the latter went on to an unbeaten 54 off 32 balls - hitting nine fours and one six in the innings.

"I wouldn't call it ease of the chase, I think Rilee's been in spectacular form and he just makes things look a lot easier than it actually is. But I think the structure and blueprint from a batting point of view really came to show on a really difficult and tricky wicket," he added.

With skipper Temba Bavuma sitting out as he continues his recovery from a "mild infection" picked up on the subcontinent, it is expected he will feature in the final warm-up match against Bangladesh on Wednesday.

"With Tembs [Bavuma], I think he's easing back into it. I'm sure in the next game, we'll probably see him but that's left to the medical staff. But he's building up nicely towards the World Cup," Maharaj concluded.

South Africa begin their World Cup group stage campaign next week Monday against the winner of qualifying Group B, which consists of Scotland, Ireland, Zimbabwe and West Indies.

By Chad Klate