South Africa batter Matthew Breetzke is well aware that India will give their all in the deciding third ODI in Visakhapatnam, but he is optimistic about his team’s balanced batting lineup. The three-match series is currently tied at 1-1, with India needing a victory on Saturday to avoid losing consecutive series to the Proteas after a 0-2 defeat in the preceding Tests. “We’re going to have to play good cricket against a really good side. We know that they’re going to be really hungry to win. It’s a must-win game, so it’s going to be a really good contest,” Breetzke stated as they prepared for the match.
The 27-year-old drew comfort from South Africa’s middle and lower-order performance in the previous games. He highlighted the advantages of having versatile batters like Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch at the end of the batting order. “We’ve got a nice balance in our side with a couple of proper batters, and then you’ve got powerhouses like Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, and Corbin Bosch that can turn the game around,” he noted. Breetzke expressed confidence in their batting group, emphasizing their good chemistry and preparedness for the challenge ahead.
Breetzke pointed out that the presence of strong hitters allows the top-order batters to play with greater freedom. “It gives you confidence as top-order batters, knowing you have Jansen and Bosch backing you up. We’ve seen Bosch play some exceptional innings in the last two matches. The top four batters can take a little more time because they know there’s explosive power in the lineup,” he explained.
Reflecting on his adaptation to batting at No. 4, Breetzke said the recent tour to Pakistan was beneficial. “Yeah, a little bit. The conditions were very different in Pakistan, but I’m gaining more experience batting at 4 and starting to feel more comfortable. Hopefully, I’ll improve,” he added.
In both Ranchi and Raipur, South Africa successfully chased targets, aided by the presence of dew that hampered Indian bowlers’ performance with grip issues during the middle overs. Breetzke mentioned that the team has strategies in place for a potential first batting scenario. “We’ve seen how dew has significantly influenced the first two matches, giving us an advantage when batting second. If we have to bat first, I’m sure we’ll discuss the best approach in our upcoming meetings. Dew has definitely played a crucial role,” he said.
Additionally, South Africa’s team manager confirmed in a pre-match press conference that pacer Nandre Burger and batter Tony de Zorzi underwent scans following their injuries sustained in Raipur. “Pacer Nandre Burger and batter Tony de Zorzi are undergoing scans after limping off during the second ODI in Raipur. Their availability will depend on the results,” the manager reported.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/12/06/indias-going-to-come-hard-at-us-breetzke/
Category: SPORTS
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Publish Date: 2025-12-06 03:45:00
