Dussen Downplays Pressure Ahead of Champions Trophy Semi-Final
Rassie van der Dussen downplayed pressure before the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final, highlighting the importance of focusing on performance rather than past titles. He acknowledged India’s potential advantage in familiar conditions but expressed confidence in South Africa’s adaptability. Dussen attributed the team’s success to prior experience in Pakistan and emphasized a strong mental approach moving forward.
Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final, South African cricketer Rassie van der Dussen dismissed concerns regarding pressure and travel fatigue after their notable victory against England. He emphasized that winning would mark their first ICC title in years, but if they do not succeed, it would simply mirror past outcomes. “At the end of the day, if we win, it’s the first ICC trophy in a while. If we don’t win, it’s just the same as last year and the year before that. So, no real pressure there.” He underlined the team’s focus on performing well if they reach the final.
Despite facing uncertainty regarding their semi-final’s location, with the possibility of playing either in Dubai or returning to Lahore, Dussen remained calm and pragmatic about the logistics. “It is what it is. Physically, it’s not that long a flight. It would be nice to just sit in one hotel the whole time on one ground like some teams, but that’s not the reality for everyone,” he remarked, stressing the need for mental readiness to face their opponents.
If South Africa faces India in Dubai, Dussen acknowledged India’s advantage of being accustomed to the conditions, having played in one venue throughout the tournament. Nevertheless, he maintained, “We don’t spend too much mental energy on that. It is what it is. The challenge for them will be to use that advantage. For us, if we do play against them, to an extent, that advantage doesn’t matter.”
Addressing the historical “chokers” label applied to South African teams during crucial matches, van der Dussen rejected this notion, highlighting that it does not reflect their current squad’s capabilities. “As a team, that doesn’t define us. That’s in the past. Some teams lose and nobody calls them chokers. When we lose, they call us chokers. I don’t know why the difference is,” he stated.
Van der Dussen attributed South Africa’s robust tournament performance to their familiarity with local playing conditions, particularly in Karachi, owing to experiences gained from the Pakistan Super League and prior series. He noted, “From a batting point of view, there are a few technical adjustments you make. In South Africa, there’s a lot of bounce, so just a few changes in your batting blueprint. We definitely communicated that.”
As they prepare for Dubai, he reflected on the variance in pitch conditions there compared to Karachi, indicating the potential for lower scores due to different playing surfaces. “In Dubai, normally the bowlers are into it a bit more. There’s a bit more seam movement and some spin. Outfields are not as quick as here, so it’s generally a bit of a lower-scoring ground,” he observed, expressing confidence in the team’s adaptability. South Africa now shifts focus to their semi-final matchup, striving to overcome previous disappointments and maintain their strong performance.
In summary, Rassie van der Dussen emphasized a positive mindset regarding the upcoming Champions Trophy semi-final, minimizing the pressures related to travel and historic performance. He focused on the team’s readiness to adapt to different conditions and their commitment to playing well, irrespective of external distractions or past legacies. The team’s strategic communication and local experience play pivotal roles in their preparation.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
