South Africa captain AB de Villiers has insisted his men are looking forward to the prospect of three Twenty20s against England, despite having already been on tour for two months.
Wicket-keeper batsman de Villiers has played all eight internationals so far this tour, with South Africa winning a three-match Test series 2-0 before sharing the one-dayers 2-2, with one no result, following a dominant seven-wicket win at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.
The Proteas’ limited overs captain is now set to lead his county in three T20 matches against England, the World Twenty20 champions, ahead of the upcoming World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka later this month.
“We’ve got a few new faces coming into the squad,” de Villiers said ahead of Saturday’s Twenty20 opener against England at Chester-le-Street, the home of north-east county Durham.
“We need that, a fresh look again, after being here for a long time.”
And he believes the nature of international cricket’s shortest format will guard against the side feeling stale, with star all-rounder Jacques Kallis set to be raring to go after being given a break during the 50-over one-day series.
“Even though we’ve been here for a while, and some of the guys are mentally a bit tired, this format really energises you.
“We’re very motivated to do well, in this series and the ‘World Cup’ coming up.”
England captain Stuart Broad earlier insisted the absence of Kevin Pietersen will not overshadow the series.
Pietersen remains in international exile as the row over the “provocative texts” he sent to South African cricketers, some allegedly critical of England team-mates, rumbles on.
However, Pietersen’s replacement, Alex Hales made 99 from 68 balls against the West Indies in Nottingham during England’s last Twenty20 match, in Nottingham in June.
Broad told Sky Sports News on Friday: “KP (Pietersen) had made himself unavailable for the World Cup and his replacement came in and got the highest score for an English batsman.
“The planning had already been set in place, Alex Hales came in and did very well and that’s what we’ve been focusing on.
“We’ve got a great squad here and we’re really excited about the next month,” the all-rounder added.
The latest series of matches between England and South Africa will have the teams contesting the number one ranking in the third of cricket’s three international formats this season.
