“It is a long competition, I fully believe in our squad to turn this around”: Corbin Bosch

This is a blip. There is no reason to lose hope. The MI Family is known to pull off miracles when people write them off, and Corbin Bosch certainly believes in this squad. Here he is, at the post-match press conference, sharing his thoughts. Excerpts.. 

Thoughts on the game 

Not our best performance today but it is a long competition. There is still five games for us to win and I have no doubt the boys will be disappointed today, but we have the experience and magnificent boys in our squad to turn this around. 

On the way the wicket played out

The wicket today wasn’t as good as the one we scored 200 on. Both sides could see it wasn’t a 200-wicket. But it definitely wasn’t a 90-wicket. 

On being picked for South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad 

It’s been a surreal experience. You don’t believe it happens till it actually happens. I have played some nice cricket over the last 12 months but it is nerve-wracking waiting for that phone call or that message. It is unbelievable. There is no better competition to get you ready for the World Cup than this. The players here are incredible from all teams. There is no easy fixture here. Any team can beat any team on a given day which is nice. You have to be at your best. It is nice to play against these guys because come World Cup time, you are going to be playing the best of the best. This forces you to raise your level getting into the World Cup. 

On his bowling performance 

Obviously didn’t start the competition hot. But I am getting confidence. It is my first time playing at home in 12 months. I have played a lot in the sub-continent where you bowl shorter. Adjusting to that, but it is amazing and I am just happy to be finding some rhythm again. Over the past two games it is coming together nicely. I just need to package it all together and I should be ready to go. 

Season 3 vs Season 4

Last year, a lot of things just went our way. People were taking blinder catches but this year we haven’t been on the button. We batted nicely until this game. Our top two has been phenomenal again, which has put us in good stead. The middle order hasn’t quite come off the way we wanted to, but as a bowling unit, we haven’t quite clicked like we did last year. Some guys are finding form, myself included. This competition, if you are finding form, can take you apart. It is a ruthless competition. It demands the best from you. If you are not at the best on the day, teams are going to get after you. Maybe from a fielding and a bowling standpoint, we haven’t been as spot on as we would have liked, but I have no doubt that we are going to turn it around shortly. 

Plans for the remaining games 

Cricket is a funny game. Sunrisers, last year, lost three or four games early on and ended up playing us in the final. We’ve got to take it one game at a time. This competition is long. If we can get on a good run, winning the next four, five games on the trot, we can hit those playoffs running red hot, and then a lot of teams will fear us. But it is a lot to do before that. 

On what the boys need to do to bounce back 

Everyone is different. Each individual will reflect. Those who need to have a hit will have a hit. For most part, it is about breaking that momentum. All it takes is one good game of cricket. I reckon we’ve got the players and the people in the background staff to turn this around. I fully believe in the players and the squad to turn this around. When it matters, the guys will show what the MI family is all about. 

Looking forward to the second half of the league stage 

It all starts by winnings a game. At this point of time, we have to beat JSK on Tuesday. They are playing some good cricket at the moment. It all starts there. Cricket is a funny game. With a little bit of momentum, who knows, in the blink of an eye, we can be the playoffs in red hot form. It all starts with the game on Tuesday. We’ve got to hit Jo’burg nice and hard and take it from there.