“Our short term goal is ICC Champions Trophy, we want to win an ICC event”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

South Africa left-arm seamer Wayne Parnell is eager to see the the Proteas triumph in the Champions Trophy this year.

With South Africa failing to have secured any silverware in an International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament for a long period of time, Parnell is determined to end the drought in June.

The Proteas, who won the inaugural edition of the Champions Trophy in 1998, have enjoyed a lot of success in ODIs as of late as they are on a seven-game winning streak. As a result, Parnell sees no reason why his side cannot be crowned champions at the event in England.

“Winning is ultimately why we play the game. Our short term goal is ICC Champions Trophy, we want to win an ICC event,” he said. “We first have the next four matches to think about and we need to dominate them (Sri Lanka) seeing that we will face them in the tournament.

“I am happy to contribute to the team’s success. It’s an important ODI series for us leading into New Zealand and the ICC Champions Trophy after that.”

South Africa are currently involved in a five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka and hold a 1-0 lead after winning the first ODI in Port Elizabeth by eight wickets.

Despite the convincing win, Parnell is not underestimating the tourists as he knows they will be looking to bounce back.

“I expect them to bounce back,” he said. “Every venue poses a different challenge. We have to wait and see what Durban has to offer and then move on to the next venue.

“In PE I felt that we executed our plan nicely and Imran Tahir was world class as he always is.

“This is probably our strongest squad. We implemented what worked in the past; using our home advantage and being smarter than them. I think taking care of their big players is what we focus on.”