Quinton de Kock Proteas

South Africa’s Quinton de Kock hits a six during the second T20 international cricket match between South Africa and West Indies at SuperSport Park in Centurion on March 26, 2023. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP)

Proteas desperate to avoid going to Zimbabwe

The Proteas want to do everything possible to avoid a trip to Zimbabwe for the final Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament.

Quinton de Kock Proteas

South Africa’s Quinton de Kock hits a six during the second T20 international cricket match between South Africa and West Indies at SuperSport Park in Centurion on March 26, 2023. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP)

The Proteas want to do everything possible to avoid a trip to Zimbabwe for the final Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament.

That Cricket World Cup qualifier is set to feature ten teams battling for just two places at the 50-over showpiece.

Proteas desperate to avoid qualifier in Zimbabwe

ALSO READ: What needs to happen for the Proteas to qualify for the World Cup

Five of the teams in the tournament will be the sides who failed to qualify through the Cricket World Cup Super League. 

They will be joined by Nepal, Oman and Scotland as well as two teams to emerge from another qualifying tournament in Namibia.

ALSO READ: Proteas fans urged to ‘pitch up in pink’ for worthy cause

Qualifier is just not it

The Proteas don’t want to have to battle through this exceedingly unfashionable tournament.

ALSO READ: Three key players against the Dutch

While their fate isn’t entirely in their own hands, two victories over the Netherlands will leave the Proteas well-placed to snatch the final automatic qualification slot.

Avoid Zimbabwe at all costs

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Proteas
Quinton de Kock of South Africa celebrates his 100 runs. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Quinton de Kock says that his mindset is that he doesn’t want to go to Zimbabwe.

“At the very least I’m going to go out and give my absolute best not to go to Zim for the qualifiers,” De Kock said ahead of the match against the Netherlands in Benoni on Friday.

“If I had any opportunity of avoiding that situation I would give everything to do just that. I’m pretty sure the rest of my teammates are in the exact frame of mind. They want to make sure they rock up at 100% intensity and be ready to go.”

Proteas focused and ready to fire

De Kock says the team are mindful of previous slip ups with over-rate and are aware that a repeat could cost them dearly.

“[Coach] Rob [Walter] has very simply told the boys to make sure it’s a situation that doesn’t happen again,” he said.

“We got a bit of a slap on the wrist previously and we’re pretty sure we don’t do it again. It’s not a big issue for us because we know it’s controllable. It’s about getting out there and hustling as quick as you can, all of the time. 

“It’s a quick fix. It’s nothing too stressful.”

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