While they enter the tournament among the favourites to progress from their first-round group, Proteas bowling coach Eric Simons has warned that the national team need to respect all their opposition as they open their campaign today at the T20 World Cup .
First up, the SA team will face Sri Lanka, just one place below them in the world rankings, in what is expected to be one of their toughest matches of the opening round.
And with the Proteas squad having been stunned by unfancied opposition the Netherlands at the last couple of World Cups in which they have competed, Simons insistedat the weekend that there was no danger of complacency against former T20 World Cup champions Sri Lanka.
Playing in unfamiliar conditions at a temporary stadium in New York this afternoon (4.30pm SA time), which was built for the global championship, Simons felt the key would be to adapt quickly.
Sri Lanka are certainly a dangerous unit. Theyve got some great skills among their bowling unit and from a batting perspective as well they play with aggression and freedom, Simons said.
