Amla: We've moved on from loss

Sydney - Proteas batsman, Hashim Amla, expects an improved performance from his side in their important Cricket World Cup Group B match against the West Indies in Sydney on Friday.

The opener says the squad picked themselves up after their disappointing loss to India in Melbourne last Sunday, and have shifted their focus to the challenge ahead at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

“We are obviously disappointed, we didn’t play good cricket,” Amla said at the SCG on Tuesday. “The format of this tournament is such that you have to move on, that’s how we look at it. We made a few mistakes but the game is done and dusted and we certainly want to look ahead to the important match on Friday.”

Amla says there is no need to panic and backs his experienced team-mates to take the lessons learnt into the remainder of their group matches.

“They posted a good score and batted quite well, we have to give credit to India,” he said. “With the bat we didn’t manage to string big partnerships to get us close and lost wickets at key times. It hasn’t happened often in the last few years; getting bowled out for 160, so we have to brush it off, take the knock on our chin and move on to the next game.”

The Proteas comprehensively beat the West Indies 4-1 during their series at home last month but are aware of the danger of their opponents in World Cup events.  

“They won their last game,” Amla said of the West Indies. “They are a dangerous team and you can never take them for granted. They are an explosive team, we had them in South Africa not long ago and showed that they can produce games where they fire, they have a lot of match-winners in their team. We are going to be treating them with the respect that we treat all teams.”

Proteas' Cricket World Cup itinerary:

February 27 - South Africa v West Indies, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney (05:30 SA time)

March 3 - Ireland v South Africa, Manuka Oval, Canberra (05:30 SA time)

March 7 - Pakistan v South Africa, Eden Park, Auckland (03:00 SA time)

March 12 - South Africa v United Arab Emirates, Westpac Stadium, Wellington (03:00 SA time)