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High-scoring Champions Trophy may be on the cards

───   MORGAN PIEK 09:45 Fri, 14 Feb 2025

High-scoring Champions Trophy may be on the cards | News Article
Heinrich Klaasen. Photo: Cricinfo

The Proteas coach, Rob Walter, feels that a high-scoring ICC Champions Trophy could be on the cards in Pakistan.

In Wednesday’s One-Day International between Pakistan and South Africa in Karachi, 706 runs were scored, while only nine wickets fell.

On Monday in Lahore, 612 runs were scored in the game between the Proteas and New Zealand, while just ten wickets fell in the ODI.

Walter said he fears the bowlers may have a tough time in the Champions Trophy. “If the pitches are the same moving forward, then you can expect to see more scores of 350,” Walter chuckled.

“As you saw, there wasn’t much seam movement, there wasn’t much bounce, and there certainly wasn’t much turn for both teams. Hence, only nine wickets were taken in the whole game by the bowlers. So yeah, it’s a batter’s paradise and certainly going to challenge the bowlers moving forward.”

Walter added that while they may not have gotten the results they wanted against New Zealand and Pakistan, playing in the Tri-Nations series has been invaluable in terms of getting game time on the subcontinent and preparing them for the ICC’s second-biggest 50-over tournament. 

“The update on Heinrich Klaasen looks fine; it's not too much to worry about at this stage,” Walter added.

Matthew Breetzke and Temba Bavuma kept Pakistan at bay, Pakistan vs South Africa, Karachi, ODI tri-series, February 12, 2025

Matthew Breetzke and Temba Bavuma. Photo: Cricinfo

“In terms of preparation, I think firstly, it’s always great to be able to travel to the subcontinent as it really helps our players develop their skill sets.

The conditions are unique here, and we don’t get much of it in South Africa because it’s very different. So from that point of view, to be able to come here, whenever you get the opportunity and experience these types of conditions, is beneficial.”

The Proteas will open their Champions Trophy campaign next week Friday against Pakistan in Karachi.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg

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