It was a cakewalk for South Africa as they registered a 87-run victory against Sri Lanka in a World Cup warm-up game on Friday, but more importantly it was their depth in squad that came to the fore.
Andile Phehlukwayo (35), Dwaine Pretorius (25 not out) and Chris Morris (26 not out) got important runs while Phehlukwayo (4/36) and Pretorius 1/34) bagged wickets too, strenghthening their case for a spot in the starting XI.
Phehlukwayo was particularly impressive with the ball, as Hashim Amla (65) and skipper Faf Du Plessis (88) also got runs.
"I think there is quite good competition and good depth within the squad," Phehlukwayo was quoted as saying by www.cricketworldcup.com.
"Personally, I am not looking in terms of those competitions. I just want to contribute for the team, whoever is playing in that all-rounder position is obviously the person in form and hopefully they can do the job for the team. Aside from that I don't think personally I have any agenda in terms of the all-rounder.
Skipper du Plessis said that at least one of those three players would have to sit out.
"There is definitely not space for three of them," he said. "Depending on fitness, Dale Steyn is progressing. So, if he doesn't progress the way that he wants to then two all-rounders come into the equation. If our fast bowlers are all fit, we love that diversity in our attack."
