Think South Africa and the first word that comes immediately into mind is “chokers .” Strange as it may sound, it has been the truth even the most ardent of African supporters can’t but approve of.
It is this tag of chokers that Smith and company would like to get rid of when they take on New Zealand in the third quarter final of 2011 world cup at Shere Bangla stadium on Friday.
Since their re-admission to international cricket in 1992 , South Africa have had a similar pattern to their progress in world cups – dazzling the tournament with some outstanding cricket before going down tamely in the Knockout game.
In each of their previous five world cup campaigns, South Africans were dubbed pre-tournament favourites only to result in their premature ouster. They had looked a team to beat in their first world cup in Australia –New Zealand before crashing out in quarter final thanks to an ill-fated target law that left them chasing an impossible 21 run in one ball following the rain. Prior to rain, Africa needed 22 runs in 13 balls with 4 wickets to spare and the game could have gone either way.
Things had again looked plain ceiling for the Proteas in the group stage of 1996 world cup before they got thrashed by the West Indies in the quarter final. And who can forget the 1999 world cup when South African came within the knocking distance of reaching the finals before getting ousted thanks to a mindless single Donald and Klusener attempted to take when none existed?
The jinx of underperforming on bigger occasion didn’t leave the Rainbow Nation even when the world cup was organized in their own country in 2003. The pattern didn’t change either in 2007 when South Africa had dominated much of the tournament in Caribbean nation before getting decimated by Australia in the semis.
All these bitter memories of the past however seem to be a matter of past (or as Navjot Singh Sidhu says “a bucketful of ashes”) as Smith’s side has played some wonderful cricket over the period of one month in this world cup. With their come-back-from-nowhere win against host India in a group game, the team appears to have developed cerebral steel to prevail in pressure game as well. New Zealand, too, have had a history of “chokes” in big games. Since the inaugural world cup of 1975, the Kiwis have reached semi finals on 5 occasions but on none of the occasions they managed to get beyond this.
Their progress into this world cup has been full of ebb and tides so far. They were outstanding in their victory against Pakistan at Pallekele but looked out of sorts in their last group game against Sri Lanka on the same venue. Overall, an interesting battle can be expected as both the teams will come into the game with a mission to defy lows of past and take one more step in their quest to win the much-coveted trophy.
South Africa
South Afirca have been very consistent in this world cup with their only defeat coming against England in a closely-contested game.
Be it batting or bowling or fielding, Proteas have been in top form in all the departments of the game. While A B De Villiers has been the top performer with the bat, the lethal pace of Dale Steyn has turned out to be instrumental in tormenting oppositions. In rookie Imran Tahir and experienced Robin Peterson, the team has two capable spinners who can prove more than handful on helpful track of Mirpur.
All eyes will also be on Jacques Kallis who has not lit up the world cup with his bat so far. However, given the stature he has and given the gravity of the occasion, it may be the game he must be looking for to get back into form.
Squad : Graeme Smith (c), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers (wk), Jean-Paul Dumminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn,Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Morne van Wyk (wk).
Coach : Cory Van Zyl
New Zealand
Things have changed a great deal for the Kiwis since they landed in Indian subcontinent for the world cup a moth ago. Following a hat-trick of series defeats two of which were whitewash and that too in subcontinents, not much had been expected from the squad. The kiwis, however, have come a long way in this tournament since then. With their convincing win against Pakistan that has looked so far the team of the tournament, New Zealnd have shown that they can’t be taken as only a push-over.
All said, consistency has still eluded New Zealand. Apart from Ross Taylor who has been in sterling form, most of the kiwi batsmen have been very inconsistent with their batting form. The team will need a solid start from Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptil. Apart from his century against Zimbabwe, McCulum has been a flop and it’s the right opportunity for him to show the world what he is capable of.
On the brighter side, bowling and fielding have been spot on for the Kiwis. With skipper Daniel Vettori expected to return into the squad after missing last three games following an injury, Kiwi bowling attack will get further boost.
Much of New Zealnd’s challenge will also depend on the fitness of all rounder Jacob Oram. The burly all-rounder, with his big hitting abilities and all-round skill is an asset to the side.
Squad : Daniel Vettori (Captain), Ross Taylor (Vice Captain), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum (Wicket Keeper), Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock.
Coach : John Wright
Key Battles
Steyn VS McCullum
Steyn is the leader of South African attack who has been getting wickets for his team with both the new and old ball. McCullum is an attacking batsman and if he can disrupt Steyn’s rhythm with some early blows, it will do world of good to New Zealand’s chances in the game. The contest between these two can go a long way in deciding the outcome of this game.
Vettori VS AB De Viliers
Vettori has been prime performer for the kiwis over the years while A B De Viliers has been the lynchpin of Proteas middle order in this world cup. The battle between these two stars makes for a great viewing.
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