3 things USA need to do right to beat South Africa in 2024 T20 World Cup clash
Co-hosts USA will lock horns with South Africa in their first Super 8 game of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Wednesday, June 19. They will look to keep their flag flying high and continue their dream run in the ICC event.
The USA made a statement that they are not in the tournament to give away freebies in the T20 World Cup opener against Canada. Led by Monank Patel, they chased down 195 runs within 19 overs to let the world be aware of their responsibilities.
The biggest surprise of the tournament came next. The USA stunned one and all by beating Pakistan in Super Overs to set the stage for a place in the Super 8. Although the USA lost to India, a washout against Canada was enough to see them through to the next stage in their debut T20 World Cup campaign.
Monank and company will look to continue playing their best cricket when they face South Africa in the Super 8.
On that note, let's take a look at three things the USA need to do right to beat the Proteas. (with inputs from Venkatesh Ravichandran.)
#1 Get Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller out cheaply
While South Africa have won all four of their group games, the runs have mainly come from the bats of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs. The rest have struggled to get going in the tournament so far.
Thus, the USA will have to eliminate the likes of Klaasen, Miller, and Stubbs early if they have to make any inroads into the contest.
Also, the co-hosts need to bowl out slow left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh before Miller arrives at the crease given the southpaw's ability to take on the ball that comes in with the angle. Monank could also use Saurabh Netravalkar at the back end to utilize his ability to vary the pace at the death.
#2 USA should not lose early wickets
The USA need to adopt a cautious approach in the initial overs against South Africa's new-ball bowlers. They need to bat deep, especially wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous. In the two matches where he has batted deep, the USA have managed to chase down big totals.
On the contrary, Gous scored only two runs against India where his side were bundled out for 110 and lost the game.
If they manage to keep wickets in hand, the USA have power-hitters to accumulate quick runs in the back end of the innings, which could be a difference-maker in the end.
#3 Need to take the game deep
Despite their 100 percent win record in the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2024, South Africa have a history of choking if the match gets intense. Although they managed to keep their composure and beat minnows Nepal by one run in their final group game, the history is against them.
Thus, the USA should take the game as deep as possible to eke out a result in their favor. Being the underdogs in this game, the United States can play freely but putting the Proteas under pressure could increase their chance of winning the match.