South African opener Hashim Amla said the tours of India undertaken in the last few years have turned out to be a decisive factor in the team’s World Cup preparations.“Coming into the subcontinent, we are expected to play a lot of spinners. It is just part and parcel of the game. We are expecting the wicket to turn.
Fortunately, we had been to India quite a few times over the last two or three years. So lot of our guys have managed to get a lot of confidence in playing in India,” stated the prolific right-handed batsman after his side’s massive win over Australia in a World Cup warm-up game, here, on Tuesday.
Amla added the team would take a lot of confidence from the victory against a good side like Australia in the warm-up tie.
“It is lovely to get some confidence. We played 15 players and these are warmup games.
“Everybody got an opportunity to bowl and show up,” noted Amla.
Amla also stated those who couldn’t get an opportunity to bat, like Colin Ingram and Morne van Wyk, are working hard at the nets and would be ready when the opportunity arises.
Australian vice captain Michael Clarke too underlined the importance of providing opportunity to all before the big event starts.
“We had a couple of opportunities to adjust to the Indian conditions. There are areas in the game we need to improve.
“Everybody had the opportunity to bat and bowl, which is good for us. In practice games, we are trying to maximize the chances of playing and more importantly, to get used to the conditions,” said Clarke.
Easily one of Australia’s better batsmen against spin, Clarke admitted that spin will play a big part in the competition and that Australia have their hands full vis-à-vis their strategy for/against spin. “Spinners will play a big role in the tournament — firstly how you are bowling and then, how you are facing them as well,” said Clarke.
