Delighted for Ingram: Botha
First Published : 31 Mar 2012, 11:09
Last Modified : 31 Mar 2012, 12:36
Johannesburg, Mar 30: A stellar performance from the South African batsmen ensured that the hosts won the one-off T20I against India by 11 runs (D/L method) in the rain-shortened game at the New Wanderers Stadium. Colin Igram led the way for the Proteas with 78 well-made runs, with Jacques Kallis (61) and others chipping in with crucial knocks.
South Africa skipper Johan Botha was happy with the win at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Excerpts:
On winning the T20I
It was quite evenly poised. I thought Gauti [Gautam Gambhir] and [Robin] Uthappa were playing really well. But credit to our batters, they played brilliantly on an excellent strip. And credit to the guys for setting a target of 220.
On the team looking relaxed
I think that was our motto for the game – just to relax. I said at the press conference that it shows what you can do if you watch the ball and hit it.
On Colin Ingram’s knock
I’ve played with him and he has done a great job for the Warriors over the years. I know what he can do and I am delighted he did it tonight on the international stage.
On the partnership between Ingram and Kallis
That was nice to give us a really good platform. A hundred-run partnership is great in any form of cricket, but in T20 it’s probably even better.
On whether he thought SA were in trouble with Gambhir and Uthappa going strong
They were playing well; they played a lot of shots and things went their way. But they were only going at nine an over, so we thought if we could bowl a few eight or seven [run overs] then the run-rate would go up to 15 very quickly and that’s hard to get for 10 or 11 overs. We were pretty comfortable, but we knew they were in the game.
On captaining the Proteas
It was nice. It’s good when the team gets 220 out there and I sit on the bench and watch. In the field I still felt pretty comfortable.
On the upcoming season of IPL
I think we are all looking forward to the IPL; it’s great to be part of it. A few of the teammates tonight will be opposition [in the IPL]. I am sure there’ll be some good battles in India and I am really looking forward to it.
