• Proteas start World Cup prep

    The Proteas will step up their preparations for the World Cup when they face Sri Lanka in the first of two warm-up games on Monday.

    The match will be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, but has no official ODI status so both teams will be able to use all 15 players in their squads, reports Sport24.

    According to coach Russell Domingo, the outcome of the warm-up matches won’t matter because the they will be focussing more on getting use to the conditions.

    ‘Warm-up matches are very important at an event like this,’ he said in Christchurch on Sunday.

    ‘Number one will be for the players to get some time on their legs; whether it’s sleep patterns, or making sure the bowlers get some overs under their belts and making sure the batters get to spend some time at the wicket.

    ‘I don’t think the results are that important. It’s about making sure we get some game-time and getting our guys accustomed to what is to be expected over the next few weeks.’

    The Proteas will face New Zealand in their second warm-up.

    ‘It’s definitely going to be competitive,’ Domingo said of the opposition.

    Winning is always important, we know that, probably not that important leading up to a tournament like this. There is going to be so much pressure in the event itself, and I think low-pressure games of this nature are very important and we shouldn’t look to over-analyse and read too much into what the results are from these games.’