Proteas now wide awake

2008-08-17 22:10

Altus Momberg

Durham - The South African cricket team received a wakeup call when they lost a limited-overs match against the English Lions in Derby on Saturday.

The Proteas were beaten by six wickets, less than a week before the start of their series of five one-day internationals against England

Vincent Barnes, the SA team's assistant coach, sees the result as a timely wakeup call.

"Mickey Arthur (the head coach) and I have discussed the defeat and it helped us to identity certain areas that we should work on," Barnes said

"One sometimes moves in slow motion and before you wake up you have lost the series," he said.

However, Barnes is not overly concerned about the team's form ahead of the Twenty20 match against England here on Wednesday.

"As soon as the guys play in an international they will raise their intensity. A warm-up match just is not the same."

The first one-day clash against England starts at Headingley on Friday.

The Proteas will have to improve their fielding. They dropped a number of catches in the two matches against the Lions.

"It is a facet in which we should sharpen up," Barnes said. "We'll work hard at it on the two days before the Twenty20 match."

Proteas wicketkeeper Mark Boucher said on Saturday night the bowling would have to improve but Barnes was rather satisfied.

André Nel had performed well last Thursday but he bowled too short on Saturday, Barnes pointed out. He was happy with the performances of Morné Morkel and Dale Steyn on Saturday.

"Vernon Philander also did well, with bat and ball," he added.

Versatile Albie Morkel, who has a shoulder injury, said on Sunday he was feeling much better.

England's bowlers Chris Tremlett, who has a heel injury, and Ryan Sidebottom, who has hip problems, are also in a race against time to be fit for the series.

- Die Burger