“The one thing this team can show is a fight”: George Linde

It was a day of mixed feelings for George Linde, the happiness of being selected in South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad and the disappointment of MI Cape Town losing a very close encounter to the Paarl Royals. He was at the post-match press conference, sharing his thoughts and looking forward. Excerpts.. 

On his T20 World Cup squad callup

Feels pretty amazing. Hasn’t sunk in yet. I think when I get onto the plane for the World Cup, it will sink in. I’m really looking forward to it. I feel I sort of deserve it. Hopefully we can win it for South Africa. 

On him being in and out of the SA squad 

Plenty of ups and downs, that’s how my career has gone. But I have always found a way to fight back, which I am proud of. 

What worked for him this time

I think my batting is a big thing. I obviously did struggle with the bat but last year I took all winter to reflect and get fit again, go through those hard things that people don’t know. I love doing my crossfit and when you go through a tough time while training, you find a way to get through tough times in cricket as well. From last year, I did tell myself, everything happens for a reason and luckily, I’ve got the call and it is a proud moment for me and my family. 

Thoughts on the match result 

It's a big competition and you play for MI Cape Town, which is a massive franchise. You want to win games for them but unfortunately I couldn’t do it today, which is very disappointing. It still is a great squad. I remember (Kieron) Pollard said in MI New York where we had exactly the same start, where we lost four or five in a row and won the next five to get into the playoffs and won the final, the one thing this team can show is a fight. 

On MICT bouncing back from here 

Yeah, 100 percent. There are a lot of internationals and a lot of experience in this squad. One thing I know is these guys know how to bounce back. If we can get into the playoffs, I reckon we are a very dangerous side. I don’t think a lot of people would want to play against us then. 

On his finisher’s role

It’s not an easy job. You can ask any person walking in at number seven, it’s not an easy place to bat. The expectation is on you to finish games. In the Proteas World Cup squad, there is a lot of power hitters. If we can set a platform, we can be a very dangerous side.  Obviously, I would love it to be six runs needed off one in the final and I hit it for six. That would be the dream. 

On Rashid Khan’s cameo 

He obviously hit is amazingly well. Paarl is not a place to come in and hit sixes immediately, but he showed today how to do it. I knew I could give myself some time. I have played here in the past and if you need 15 off the last over, the bowler feels the pressure as well, not just us. 

Preparations for the next game 

What’s done is done. We’ll reflect tomorrow and come back day after on game night. I feel we have been a bit unlucky at times. A few mistakes here and there and it happens in cricket. I reckon we have a good chance of beating them at Newlands. 

On how teams should prepare to play in Paarl

Tonight it played reasonably well. In South Africa, all pitches play different. You’ve got to dig deep sometimes. You saw with Nicky P (Pooran), he knew it was not an easy wicket and he tried to give himself a chance. It’s not as easy flowing as Newlands or Pretoria. Obviously a disappointing loss, but I’m sure we’ll reflect and get better. 

On chasing in all four games 

We’ve played four games and bowled first every time. Maybe it is something to look into. At Newlands, last year we chased and did pretty well. So you need to stick to what you know best. Maybe if you win the toss next time, we might bat first.