SA20: We’re a better outfit than how we turned out in the last two games, says Durban’s Super Giants coach Lance Klusener | Cricket News
Durban’s Super Giants faced another setback in the ongoing SA20 League, suffering a 58-run loss to defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Kingsmead on Friday. The defeat marked their second consecutive loss at home, leaving head coach Lance Klusener visibly disappointed with his team’s performance.
“We have a proud record from last season playing at home, so this is absolutely disappointing,” Klusener said after the match.
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“I think we’re a better outfit than how we turned out in the last two games. While the surfaces have been challenging, that’s no excuse. We lacked the aggression to take the first punch, and when you’re on the back foot, it’s tough to recover.”
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The Sunrisers, who entered the match on the back of three consecutive losses, delivered a resounding comeback. Klusener credited their sharpness and determination. “They came in with three losses, so for them to bounce back the way they did was outstanding. They were running well between the wickets, and we all know how well they field. Sometimes it’s the small things that make the big difference.”
The Super Giants’ batting woes continued to be a concern, with the team failing to capitalise on starts. “It’s not about the batting quality; we have outstanding batters. The problem lies in not building partnerships or capitalising on starts. This evening that surface was tough to make a comeback against some quality spin,” Klusener explained.
Noor Ahmad was the standout performer for Super Giants, taking 4 for 25. Klusener praised his former Afghanistan players, Ahmad and Naveen-ul-Haq, the latter finishing with 1 for 44. “Noor has been an outstanding performer for a few years now. He bowls at a good pace, making it tough to pick him through the air. That’s his strength. Naveen is quality too – most wickets in T20s last year. It’s great to see them both step up.”
Looking ahead, Klusener emphasised the need for self-reflection. “We need to focus on ourselves rather than worrying too much about the opposition. The way we batted, especially without building partnerships, needs to change. While our bowling is in a better place, we need to score more runs to be competitive,” he said.
The Super Giants will now look to regroup and address their shortcomings as they aim to turn their season around.
