SA U19s looking for 2nd win
Speaking after their net session at the Pietermaritzburg Oval, all-rounder, Wiaan Mulder, shared the team’s intention to continue playing positive cricket.
“Yesterday was definitely our best game in the series so far,” he said. “We’ve been pretty disappointed with our performance in the first two games because we always back ourselves to win, but I think we did a great job yesterday to bounce back. It’s definitely lifted our spirits and given us confidence to go into the next game and do the same.
“This team is very competitive and we pride ourselves in representing our country and we want to do our best for the people we represent and for one another as teammates,” he continued.
Mulder (39*) shared an unbeaten 93-run, fourth-wicket partnership with Liam Smith to chase down the 166-run target set by Bangladesh. He also contributed with the ball, taking two wickets for 16 to round off a good all-round performance. The side’s second all-rounder, Dean Foxcroft, took 3/31 and scored 20 runs, playing a crucial supporting role to Smith when they shared the first 50 partnership (58) that set up their side’s victory on Friday.
Foxcroft believes every team requires a fair number of all-rounders to perform multiple jobs dictated by what is needed by the team at a specific point in time.
“My way of contributing to the team is by making sure that I can be of use to them in as many ways as possible,” he commented. “So if it’s a matter of getting as many dot balls as possible in order to create pressure and therefore wickets or it’s me going out to bat and making sure the in-form batsman has a solid partner, I will be that for the team. I think it’s important to have all-rounders who can adjust to what their team needs at that time.”
Looking ahead to the fourth ODI, both Foxcroft and Mulder are quietly confident of their team’s chances.
“We have spoken time and time again about what is needed for the team to win. Yesterday’s performance gave us all some confidence and we can now take that into the game on Sunday and make sure that we go one step further than we did on Friday,” Mulder said.
“I think this team has more than what it takes to win the series. We didn’t have the best start but there’s no better booster than a win to help push you in the right direction and I think that’s where we are headed now. We are looking forward to it,” Foxcroft concluded.
Tomorrow’s match will start at 09h00 at the Pietermaritzburg Oval.
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