Rassie van der Dussen, South African cricketer, expressed confidence ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final, downplaying pressure from historical ICC performance and travel fatigue. He emphasized the team’s commitment to focus on their performance and acknowledged India’s advantage of playing in Dubai. Dussen addressed the ‘choker’ label and praised their familiarity with Pakistani conditions as key to their success.
In anticipation of the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final, South African cricketer Rassie van der Dussen minimized concerns regarding pressure and fatigue stemming from travel. After their convincing win against England, Dussen acknowledged the potential challenges but emphasized the absence of significant pressure related to the team’s historical pursuit of ICC trophies.
“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,” he stated. He expressed the team’s focus on delivering a solid performance in the final if they qualify.
The Proteas face logistical uncertainties regarding their next match location. While they are set to fly to Dubai, it remains unclear whether they will contest against India there or return to Lahore to face Australia. Dussen, however, appeared undisturbed by these travel intricacies, acknowledging, “It is what it is. Physically, it’s not that long a flight.”
Dussen also noted the advantages India may have due to their residency in Dubai for the tournament, highlighting their familiarity with the venue. He remarked, “It’s definitely an advantage. They’ve been in one hotel, one ground, one training facility. But we don’t spend too much mental energy on that.”
Addressing the historical stigma of being termed “chokers” in crucial matches, he asserted that this label should not overshadow the present team’s identity. “As a team, that doesn’t define us. That’s in the past,” he articulated, reflecting on the unwarranted nature of the term applied to South Africa.
Dussen credited the team’s strong performance in the tournament to their familiarity with Pakistani conditions, particularly from previous experiences in the Pakistan Super League. He mentioned his and teammate David Miller’s efforts in providing valuable insights to the team regarding possible adjustments in batting techniques.
Looking ahead, Dussen acknowledged the contrasting pitch conditions they might encounter in Dubai compared to Karachi. He noted that bowlers could expect more assistance from the pitch at Dubai, but remained confident in the team’s adaptability to face these challenges successfully.
As South Africa prepares for the pivotal semi-final clash, they aim to push past the burden of past disappointments while continuing their impressive run in the tournament.
Rassie van der Dussen showed confidence and poise ahead of the semi-final, downplaying the pressures associated with past ICC performances and logistical challenges. By focusing on maintaining their game approach and leveraging their knowledge of local conditions, South Africa hopes to build on their current momentum. Ultimately, they aim to succeed in the semi-finals, striving to redefine their narrative in international cricket.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
