“This team realizes that we’re definitely not the finished product,” said Proteas Head Coach, Mark Boucher, after South Africa won the T20 series against Sri Lanka.
“I think it’s just part of the growth of the team that we’re not really focused on the outcome, it’s more about the process,” explained Boucher.
Elaborating on the selection of the team, Boucher said the conditions determine the combination that will take the field for South Africa.
“Definitely not horses for courses. We have a look at the conditions and have a look at a few combinations that we have got. We left out Anrich quite a few times, he’s been a fantastic bowler for us. If we get to a wicket where he could be a match-winner, then we must play him.”
Boucher singled out Quinton de Kock for special praise, given his performances through the course of this series.
“Quinny’s been in great form. He obviously went through a tough time after Pakistan. He’s been fantastic in the team environment. We all know the player that Quinny is. You can’t keep a player that down for too long. He’s in a happy space at the moment.
“We missed him in the One-Day setup, but I’m happy we gave him a bit of time off after the Hundred to rest a little, spend a little time playing golf or whatever he does. He came in and rewarded us with that break as well.”
In addition, Boucher was pleased with Keshav Maharaj’s captaincy in Sri Lanka. “He’s got a great feel for the game, especially when you’re playing a lot of spinners. We were expecting it to be like this. I think the communication and confidence and trust he has in the spinners.”
With some of the South African players, including newly-recruited Aiden Markram, heading to the IPL now, Boucher said, “We’ve spoken to the guys going off to the IPL. Obviously, they’ve got to be disciplined with their work and realize we want to peak at the right time as a unit.
“There are a couple of things I’ve spoken to individuals that they can maybe work on but more about picking up bits of information about playing in those conditions.”