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Rob Walter ahead of England clash

INDIA being based in Dubai and playing all their fixtures of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy there while Pakistan hosts the tournament has become a hot topic this week.The side has a clear advantage that many believe to be unfair. However, Proteas limited-overs coach Rob Walter wants no part of the conversation.Asked by the media on Friday what his thoughts are on the matter, the 49-year-old emphasised that he would much rather spend his time focused on his team instead of focusing on matters he has no control over."The scheduling is the scheduling," said Walter."I think if we spend our energy worrying about a disadvantage, we spend less energy thinking about ourselves and what we need to be doing."India obviously has been in Dubai in the same venue, in the same place, and other teams haven't. Whether that turns out to be an advantage or not will remain to be seen. "What I do know is that we have to concentrate on what we're doing. We have to concentrate on spending all our energy thinking about how we're going to get through our next step, which is England, and then wherever that takes us from there."The Proteas face England in Karachi on Saturday as they push to join India and New Zealand in the semi-final of the tournament.While South Africa is unbeaten in the tournament, England is heading into the fixture without a single point having been thumped by a weakened Australia side and tournament newbies Afghanistan earlier in the tournament.Despite their performances, Walter is aware of the danger that the Jos Butler-led England One Day side can pose."If you look at the names on the sheet, I think there's some quality players there. There's no doubt about that. Cricket can be fickle and sport can be fickle," said Walter."Sometimes that results in you losing. To ask if I'm surprised, as I said, I think there are good cricketers that, to be honest, could turn out tomorrow and deliver an international standard performance against us."Despite coming up against a meek England side that’s already been knocked out of the ICC Champions Trophy, Proteas batsman Rassie van der Dussen still believes they are a threat. #sports #cricket #ICCChampionsTrophy #Batsman https://t.co/yncl9fPYeM— IOL Sport (@IOLsport) February 27, 2025 Heading into the England clash, South Africa is boosted by the fit-again Heinrich Klaasen who missed the opening fixture as a precautionary measure due to a left elbow soft tissue injury."Heinrich Klaassen is fine, he's available for selection. He's a super player, isn't he?" said Walter."And I think you probably notice his strength also based on who the guys around him are, that allows him to play that way, and obviously he's got a skill set at the moment that is right up there with the world's best, I think we all agree with that."And it's great to have him in your team because you know how destructive he can be, but all that said is that I know that the way he plays and the destructive nature of his game is also based on the confidence of the people around him, and the way that they play. "And so the whole piece of the puzzle is important in allowing him and freeing him up to play the best version of his game and be his best version. "So look, it's exciting for everyone when he does play that way and certainly hoping for a number of those knocks in the next 10 days or so."The encounter between South Africa and England is scheduled to get underway at 11 am SAST at the National Stadium in Karachi on Saturday.