“Both departments (batting and bowling) need to apply themselves,” said Proteas fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada, ahead of South Africa’s second World Cup encounter against the West Indies.

Rabada revealed that the team had reflected on its loss to Australia, and were prepared to scrap hard to put up a better performance against the West Indies.

“There’s no excuse, we know we have to perform well in all departments. We have analyzed what we need to do,” said Rabada.

Rabada also conceded that the batting was a matter of concern for the team. “Coming into this press conference, I knew you’ll were going to ask about our batting. It is a concern.”

He threw his weight behind under-fire opener, Quinton de Kock, and expected him to perform in the games to come. “Quinton is a massive player for us,” said Rabada.

The IPL and the first few games of the T20 World Cup have illustrated that the pitches on offer tend to support bowling a lot more.

“There’s been something for the spinners and something for the seamers.” While the bowlers will look to make the most of these conditions, Rabada believes it is imperative for the batting group to apply itself to score runs.

“When batters do apply themselves, they can score runs.”

Referring to South Africa’s opponents tomorrow, the West Indies, as a “strong, powerful T20 team,” Rabada cautioned against underestimating them, despite their loss to England. “The game they played against England is behind.” Rabada continued, “We can’t take anything for granted.”

PHOTO: EPA/DAVID GRAY