Preview
Group B match
South Africa versus Netherlands
Venue: Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh
Start Time: 09:30 am (IST)
South Africa routed West Indies in their first game to send signal to their opponents in the tournament and indicated that lots of preparation and thinking has gone in the build up to this edition.
Including Pakistan born leg-spinner Imran Tahir who turned out to be instrumental during win against Windies is testimony to their plans that side possesses spin decent spin, their Achilles heel in previous tournaments, in their ranks as well. All the facets of the game, it appears, are covered as far this South African team is concerned.
Netherlands, on the other hand, had two contrasting performances in two games they played so far in the tournament.
They went down fighting against England but surrendered meekly to West Indian Kemar Roach’s hostile fast bowling spell as whole team combusted for paltry 115 runs.
In their heart of hearts, Dutch players know encounter against Proteas will be a stiff challenge and would want to give a good account of their skills and temperament against mighty South Africa.
With match played at Mohali, known for offering assistance for fast bowlers, it will, be interesting how Dutch batsmen confront fast bowling pair of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.
South Africa
South Africa looked on backfoot for brief periods against West Indies during Darren Bravo-Devon Smith partnership, Dwayne Bravo innings and early in the run chase losing first two wickets for 20 runs.
They would want to rectify those loopholes against Netherland.
Hashim Amla would seek to put a big score on the board after a rare failure in the first game and Graeme Smith would want some fluency to his backed which was missing at Ferozshah Kotla, Delhi.
South African team management would want their premier all-rounder Jacques Kallis to be good health to bowl his full quota of ten overs that definitely would give them the flexibility to play three spinners.
Centurion AB Devillers and left hander JP Dumminy looked in good touch and success of middle order batting rests on their shoulders.
Having Steyn and Morkel as part of their fast bowling department and spin trio of Johan Botha, Tahir and Robin Peterson in their ranks, South African bowling has depth, variety and class to trouble the best.
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 Zyll
Netherlands
Playing against one of the tournament favourites South Africa, Netherlands would be keen that it doesn’t turn out to be mismatch as most of the match involving minnows have been one-sided affairs.
Dutch rely too much on their star player Ryan Ten Doeschate in both bowling and batting. If he fails to score or take wickets, team usually wilts and same was the case during their poor performance against Australia.
Netherlands side , however, possess some talented batsmen none better than South Australian Tom Cooper who did no harm to his reputation by scoring dogged fifty against West Indies when his fellow fell like a pack of cards.
Team would want contribution from the top order as openers Alex Kervezee and Wesley Barresi have failed to put up a substantial score on the board.
In fast bowling department they lack quality fast bowler who can trouble opponents upfront and back-up bowlers also don’t give sleepless nights to the opposition camp.
Only stand-out performer in the bowling unit is their left arm spinner Peter Seelar who hasn’t only shown control and variation but taken wickets, every now and then, to receive good feedback from cricket pundits.
Going by the recent trends, Netherlands, it appears, might be in for another tough day as Proteas would like to put another super performance on the field.
Squad
Peter Borren (Capt), Adeel Raja, Tom Cooper, Ten Doeschate, Alex Kerveeze, Eric Scwarczyncki, Tom de Grooth, Bas Zuiderent, Bernard Loots, Bradley Kruger, Muddasir Bukhari, Peter Seeilar, Berend Westjidk, Atse Buurmen, Wesley Barreesi .
Coach: Peter Drinen
© eContent.in
