Kyle Abbott hoping South Africa can maintain perfect record in Pink match

11 February 2016 02:23

South Africa are out to extend their winning run in pink against England at the Wanderers.

The hosts, who trail the one-day international series only 2-1 with two to play after their seven-wicket win at Centurion on Tuesday, have a perfect three-out-of-three record in the annual Pink match.

South Africa have yet to be beaten in the fixture in which they have taken the field wearing pink - instead of their accustomed green and yellow, in support of breast-cancer charities and awareness - for the past three years at this venue.

Seam bowler Kyle Abbott is confident, after South Africa's midweek victory, that they can again rise to the occasion.

"We have got a good record here, not only in pink, but in ODIs at the Wanderers," he said.

"It doesn't happen in one or two overs. and I hope we can keep up our record and put a bit more pressure on in this series, which I think is building more on them than us at the moment."

South Africa knocked off 318 for eight at SuperSport Park, and were in pursuit of 399 for nine in the series-opener in Bloemfontein last week when a storm broke and consigned them to a Duckworth-Lewis defeat.

Abbott added: "Chasing 320 the other night gives us a lot of confidence - because we feel in that first game as well, we were in the mix.

"We've got our plans; we've done our research on (England), so we're pretty confident. to keep them quiet."

Abbott's lot may be unenviable at times, trying to prevent boundaries at a ground where huge totals are the norm.

He said: "Even a shot that's not that well timed can go for four or six here, so that is challenging.

"But if it does get away from us during an over, it's important we close it out and keep it to a 10-run over and not a 15 or 20 that can change a game.

"There's a short side to the playing area, so we're going to have to manage that not only from a bowling side but batting as well - with left and right hand."

:: Three of South Africa's ICC World Twenty20 squad are set to face England in next week's tour match at Paarl.

David Miller, Farhaan Beradien and Aaron Phangiso were selected on Wednesday for both the World Twenty20 and the two-match series against England.

They will also face the tourists for South Africa A in the warm-up fixture on Wednesday, when Morne van Wyk will be captain - while Wayne Parnell and Beuran Hendricks return after injury.

Source: PA