Sun, 06 Mar 2011 - England vs South Africa, World Cup 2011, 21th match Group B - Preview

England look to bounce back

Preview

Group B Match,

England v South Africa

Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai

Start Time: 9:30 am (IST)

The result of encounter between England and South Africa on Sunday will certainly have a huge bearing on England’s fortunes in this tournament.

Andrew Strauss led side comes into this match after being upset by Ireland’s Kevin O’brien heroics who helped his side to chase down mammoth target of 328 runs.

A loss against Proteas would mean England have to win all its remaining games to qualify and win will almost seal their place in the knockout stages.

The spotlight, therefore, will be on England who would be under tremendous pressure more than Proteas to score a win.

South Africa have looked very comfortable and settled units in the both matches they played in the tournament so far easily getting past their opponents, West Indies and Netherlands.

Off all the top sides, South African team has a best combination with strong batting line-up, world’s best all-rounder, potent fast bowling unit and decent spin attack.

England batsmen, on the other hand, have batted magnificently but have looked ordinary with their bowler not able to contain opposition batsmen.

After beating minnows Netherlands and sharing points with India in a famous game against India, England were stunned by Ireland to dent their confidence and pride big time. They can only get that back by putting up a good show against strong South Africa.

Weathermen have predicted clear skies on Sunday in Chennai and no rain on the day has been forecasted.

South Africa

In batting, Hashim Amla, AB Devillers and JP Dumminy all look in terrific form with Devillers and Amla having two and one century under their belt in this tournament.

They would like to continue on their run making form against England as well.

However, senior batsmen Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis are yet to post substantial score in the tournament and for African side to do consistently well against top teams, the duo has to have to be in top form.

With job done by top order in both the games, lower order, chink in the armour form the team, is yet to be tested.

Bowling is potent one with Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel arguably world’s best new ball pair currently and has a good back up option in Kallis.

What has given edge and variety to African bowling line-up is addition of Pakistan born leg spinner Imran Tahir who, in two matches, has proved to be wicket taking option and has a terrific googly in his armoury.

He alongwith off spinner Johan Botha and left arm Robin Peterson can pose a threat to English batsmen on a Chennai pitch expected to offer some help to the slow bowlers.

The 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: Corne van Zyl

England

Batsmen have looked in stupendous form in the world cup so far with their skipper Andrew Strauss clearly the batsman of the tournament scoring big and crucial runs in all the three matches his side has played.

Jonathan Trott and Ian bell, in the middle order, have also scored consistently but lower order is yet to contribute.

Paul Collingwood’s form should be a worry and for England to do well Collingwood need to score against South Africa.

It is the bowling attack that has given headache to Strauss and team management with bowlers leaking runs and not able to stem the flow of runs with the new ball and in the death.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad have struggled to find the right length on Indian pitches and have been scored easily.

Spin department has also not been able to trouble the batsmen but could be crucial against South Africa traditionally not good players of spin bowling.

What would serve English side better is to forget the mauling they received at the hands of Irish batsmen during their chase in Bangalore and focus to do better in this crucial tie.

The Squad: Andrew Strauss (Capt), James Anderson, Ian Bell Tim Bresnan Stuart Broad , Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara , Kevin Petersen, Matt Prior (wk), Ajmal Shahzad Graeme Swann, James Tredwell , Jonathan Trott, Luke Wright Michael Yardy.

Coach: Andy Flower