'Step up or miss out' - Mark Boucher sends a stern warning to South African players ahead of T20 World Cup

That South African cricket is going through its worst phase- both on and off the pitch- will not be an aberration. After having lost a closely contested series against England, the Proteas’ hopes of taking strides towards zeroing on a match-winning combination for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia were ripped to the tatters when they were knocked over for their lowest-ever total of 89 by the Aussies in the first T20I at the Bullring.

South Africa never really turned up to the occasion in the first T20I. Their batting was obviously disappointing but what was even more disappointing was their listless fielding and indisciplined bowling as they conceded as many as two extra overs in the form of wides.

Heading into the do-or-die encounter South African coach Mark Boucher has sent a stern warning to his players, asking them to put their hands up as they look to lock in the squad for the T20 World Cup.

“There are certain places up for grabs and with guys getting opportunities, it’s important that they take them now. A month or so before the World Cup we want to have our minds made up on who we want to take as a 15-man squad.” Mark Boucher said as quoted by Cricket Next.

He added “It’s difficult for players to make a name for themselves a month before the tournament. Now is the time that players need to put their hands up and stake a claim for positions.”

Mark Boucher clarifies that a plethora of positions are still up for grabs

“We don’t quite know what our combinations are going to be and we are waiting for guys to step up,” he said.

Boucher lamented South Africa’s ‘poor’ bowling effort in Jo’Burg, adding that the line and length of the bowlers were way off the mark. “Our lines and lengths were really bad. It’s not like they were running down the wicket and taking us on. We were giving them boundary options.” he added.

Meanwhile, with such a short time around between the two games, Boucher will hope that his team puts up an improved performance and take the series to the decider.