Lots of experience in team due to IPL: David Wiese confident of South Africa's chances in World T20

Mumbai: South African all-rounder David Wiese today said his team was quietly confident of doing very well in the ICC World Twenty20, his optimism stemming from the country’s good performance in this format over the last year and a half, while adding the event was pretty open. “As a squad we have played good cricket in the last 18 months. We are quietly confident going into the tournament,” said the 30-year-old player during a media interaction here. “If you look at top 16 from the world, any one can win the tournament. It’s such a short format that one individual can win it for you. We have done our preparations and we feel we have most of our bases covered. It’s now doing the basics right,” he remarked. [caption id=“attachment_2670770” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of South Africa’s Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, JP Duminy and David Wiese celebrating. AFP[/caption] Although he felt India were the favourites due to the conditions and their form in the run-up to the mega event, he insisted that once the semi-final stage was reached it was anybody’s game. “On a given day any of the top 16 can beat any other team. India have played good cricket, done really well in the Asia Cup and in Indian conditions they will be tough to beat. “Australia have good players, West Indies have so many match winners as well as Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Once you go into the semis someone like (West Indian Chris) Gayle can have a big game and take away things completely. It’s a tight competition,” he added. Wiese, who is playing in his first WT20 and has made a double century and taken 10 wickets in a first class game, felt his side had the good fortune of having a few all rounders. “In T20 cricket the more options you have, the better. We are fortunate to have a few all rounders.” Wiese said the experience of having played in the IPL would stand him in good stead. “I have played a couple of seasons for RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore). I have got used to sub-continental conditions. I have to use that experience. Lots of experience within the South Africa team, as a lot of guys have played in IPL.” PTI