NO EASY RIDE - Proteas brace for ‘highly competitive’ Namibia in historic Windhoek ODI

WYS: Bjorn Fortuin knows full well the challenge that their neighbours pose

Image: AFP

THE Proteas will not be taking Namibia lightly when the two teams meet for the first time in an ODI in Windhoek at 9.30am today.

Bjorn Fortuin’s span has suffered two defeats in three T20 contests against their hosts and knows full well the challenge that their neighbours pose.

Fortuin wysed: “I think we’ve seen over the past two games that we’ve played, it’s been highly competitive.

“We've seen their skill being displayed in various sectors of the game and in various forms of skill. So, we expect no different from them.

“We expect the game to be high quality. We expect their skill to come through, not only because it’s a longer format of the game, but because these are their conditions.

“They do play fairly well in these conditions. So I’m expecting nothing different than another highly competitive series.”

The visitors have called for reinforcements with all-rounder Corbin Bosch joining his brother Ethan in Namibia along with top-order batter Matthew Breetzke.

Both Corbin and Breetzke are part of a full-strength Proteas squad to face Australia at the end of the month and will be looking to hit some form before the all-important clashes against the Aussies.

Fortuin certainly welcomed the arrival of the pair in Windhoek.

He added: “Yeah, it’s great to have them back in the fold, obviously leading into a big summer back home. So it’s nice to see them get onto the park as well.

“I know they’ve been playing quite a bit of cricket abroad. So they’ll no doubt bring their own individual quality back into the squad.

“Matty B is also a leader in his own right. So, there should be a few more calmer heads in the squad going into the next series. I’ve got no doubt that they’ll hold the team in good stead and add value.”

The second ODI will be played on Friday, with the series coming to an end on Sunday with the third and final match.

MISSION: Proteas coach Shukri Conrad

Image: AFP