Morgan Piek 

Bloemfontein - Despite their 6-wicket loss to Pakistan yesterday, Proteas captain AB de Villiers believes nothing can be read into it as it was a warm-up match. He also says that they preparations for the upcoming Champions Trophy are well underway and they are confident of their chances.
 

De Villiers said that they have done their homework on India and the venue, Sophia Gardens. De Villiers says the new laws have made things harder, but with the right attitude a team can win.

De Villiers admitted his team will miss veterans Jacques Kallis and Graeme, however believes it's the perfect opportunity for some of the less experienced players such as David Miller and Ryan McLaren to shine.

Furthermore, the feeling in the Proteas camp is that Pakistans' recent series loss to the Proteas in South Africa was they reason for the Pakistani pace-attack being fired up.

Yesterday in the Proteas second warm-up match for the ICC Champions Trophy warm-up match at The Oval. Pakistan won the toss and sent the Proteas into bat.

The Proteas were in trouble as early as the third ball when Hashim Amla was dismissed after being trapped lbw by Junaid Khan off his second ball. The Proteas were soon in heaps of trouble when the Pakistan pace attack reduced them to 83/7. JP Duminy and Ryan McLaren steadied the ship to a large degree with a hard fought 94 run partnership.

The Chevrolet Knights allrounder, McLaren top scored with 55 off 72 balls including six boundaries in a continuation of the impressive all-round form he has shown this season.

Pakistan had little trouble in knocking off the runs and even had the luxury of retiring Mohammed Hafeez after he had made 54 off 72 balls. Imran Farhat who scored 56 off 82 balls was the other main contributor.

The Proteas next face India at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Thursday in the opening game of the Champions Trophy.