Proteas ‘psyched up’ for Netherlands series, says Verreynne

The Proteas will not underestimate the Netherlands in any way, according to wicket-keeper batsman Kyle Verreynne, who admits that they respect their opposition and will be going all out against them.

The three match ODI series kicks off at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday morning, with both sides eager to pick up some much needed World Cup Super League points, to give themselves the best chance of qualifying for the 2023 showpiece event.

“With points for the 2023 World Cup up for grabs I think it is easy to get yourself psyched up, no matter who it’s against,” said Verreynne.

“But we don’t see the Netherlands as weak opposition at all. You saw in Ireland (when we toured there) they were a so-called weaker team and in the second game they beat us quite convincingly. So we are definitely not sitting back thinking it’s going to be an easy task.”

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Despite the Proteas not having faced the Netherlands much before, most of their squad took part in the T20 World Cup in the UAE and despite not making the Super 12 division, the Proteas will have gotten an idea of what to expect from having seen them in action.

“I think it’s a similar team to what was at the T20 World Cup, so someone like myself who wasn’t there, I watched quite a bit of it. I sort of have a gauge of what I will be coming up against,” said Verreynne.

“There’s also a couple of guys that I know, like (Brandon) Glover, I played with him at SA U19 level and a guy like Colin Ackermann who I’ve played against domestically, so there are also a few familiar faces in the side.”

On Wednesday night Cricket South Africa also released a statement saying that after consultations with the team captains and team management it was agreed that the directive of the taking of the knee would continue for the forthcoming season.

“The decision to engage the players on the gesture of taking the knee was not taken lightly and we are delighted that we had the opportunity to engage with the captains and that this has now been accepted as a matter of principle,” explained CSA Board Chairman Lawson Naidoo.

“The gesture is an important stance in articulating an unequivocal determination against discrimination in sports and in society, and one in which South African sportsmen and women should be taking the lead.”