Maharaj looking for positive start to England tour

South Africa face the world champions in three 50-over matches on a two-month long tour to the United Kingdom.

“We haven’t done relatively well in the ODI format, but we’ve tried various formats and combinations, so hopefully we’ve found that rhythm to our game now when we can start off on a positive note come this England series,” Maharaj said on Monday. 

“Obviously England have come off quite a bit of cricket and they’re pretty much a more settled team. But having put in the hard work over the past 12 months, I think it’s about time we see some good results come this series and moving forward.” 

South Africa last played an ODI in March when they faced Bangladesh in Centurion. 

Maharaj, who is leading the Proteas in the absence of injured captain Temba Bavuma, says they are looking ahead to ODI cricket again. 

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“The boys are really excited, it’s been a while since we’ve played our last ODI game and it’s been a substantial and lengthy build-up to the game, so the boys are ready to get onto the park, so come tomorrow and hit the ball running,” he said. 

“Results haven’t really gone our way, but it’s a nice way to build that confidence and filter in towards ODI cricket up until the World Cup next year.” 

The Proteas have also not historically done very well in limited-overs cricket in England and Maharaj is hopeful of changing that. 

“It does present an opportunity to do something special,” he explained. “We’ve come a long way as a team and as a unit. So it is an opportunity to create history, but we’ll take it one ball at a time and hopefully achieve something really big as the ODI unit.” 

Quinton de Kock, who missed the warm-up matches as an injury precaution, is fit and available for the game.