Rassie van der Dussen of South Africa has characterized the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy semi-final as a challenge to approach without added pressure. While addressing the pressures of past failures, he maintains confidence in his team’s resilience and adaptability. South Africa’s preparations remain focused on confronting their opponents and adopting a strong performance strategy, irrespective of logistic challenges or historical labels.
In preparation for their ICC Champions Trophy semi-final, South African batter Rassie van der Dussen has chosen to downplay concerns regarding pressure and travel fatigue. Following a resounding victory over England, Dussen acknowledged the challenges ahead but remained realistic, including the possibility of logistical fatigue before facing an opponent in the semi-final.
When questioned about the longstanding absence of ICC trophies the team has experienced, Dussen dismissed the idea that this creates additional pressure, stating, “At the end of the day, if we win, it’s the first ICC trophy in a while. If we don’t win, it’s just the same as last year and the year before that. So, no real pressure there.”
The journey to the semi-final has not been without its uncertainties, with the team set to travel to Dubai yet unclear about their opponent. Dussen expressed his indifference to the travel logistics, remarking on the relatively short flight while also noting that teams should adapt to their circumstances. “It is what it is. Physically, it’s not that long a flight… but that’s not the reality for everyone,” he explained.
In the event that South Africa advances to face India in Dubai, Dussen acknowledged India’s advantage from having played all their matches at that venue. “Definitely. It’s definitely an advantage. They’ve been in one hotel, one ground, one training facility,” he acknowledged, while emphasizing that such advantages should not overwhelm their preparation.
Furthermore, Dussen addressed the long-standing “chokers” label often attributed to South African cricket, asserting that it does not represent the current team’s identity. “As a team, that does not define us. That’s in the past,” he stated, questioning the discrepancy in response to losses between their team and others.
Dussen attributed their successful performances in the tournament to their familiarity with the local conditions in Pakistan, which he and his teammate David Miller leveraged through shared experiences in the PSL. He elaborated on the required technical adaptations when switching from South African pitches to those in Pakistan.
Looking ahead to Dubai, Dussen highlighted the anticipated differences in pitch conditions, noting that bowlers tend to have an advantage there due to increased seam movement and spin. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence in the team’s adaptability, emphasizing that their focus remains on winning the semi-final and eliminating the weight of past disappointments.
In summary, Rassie van der Dussen has addressed the concerns surrounding pressure and travel fatigue as South Africa approaches their ICC Champions Trophy semi-final. He emphasizes the team’s resilience in the face of historical adversities and adapts to varying conditions, underscoring a focus on performance without the weight of past failures. As the team prepares for their potential match against India, they aim to leverage their strengths and adaptability while dismissing unproductive labels.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
