England v South Africa: Match Preview – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Champions Trophy 2013
With the league matches behind, fans are about to witness the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 between hosts England and South Africa which will be played today at The Oval.
Being at the top of the points table in their group, England certainly have a lot to bolster about, on the other hand, South Africa have had a mediocre tournament and have always choked in big games which makes this clash more crucial for them. They have
not really clicked as a unit and one big win against the struggling http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 is not enough to threaten England in the semi-final.
Nonetheless, England know that the “chokers” have the capability to rip through any team on a given day which makes the Africans so dangerous. England have faced defeat by the hands of South Africa on this ground in the 1999 World Cup, where the Poms were
beaten so badly that it consequently cost them the tournament because of a bruised net run rate. This time nonetheless, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AB-de-Villiers-c887 would be aiming to avoid such a predicament.
While South Africa particularly do not have any pressure on them, the English must be feeling the heat as they have never won an ICC 50-over tournament and this Champions Trophy might just be their best chance to make history.
Both sides have had their run with injuries as well, while http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GP-Swann-c1501 due to a calf problem.
While the English management wants Swann to be ready for the upcoming Ashes, he can also be a game changer against the South Africans because of their poor record against spin. The middle and lower order of South Africa could be annihilated by Swann if he
plays in this match.
Pitch Report
The Oval has a fast track, though after a long tournament spin will also be encouraged by the wearing pitch.
Captains’ comments
Alastair Cook: “He's (Hashim Amla) a fantastic player but all players are vulnerable early. If he gets in it's a danger for us.”
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Allan-Robert-Border-c43726 de Villiers: “Unless we win this tournament, people will stay say you're chokers, so no matter what happens it's something we've dealt with.”
Teams
South Africa (probable)
1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LL-Tsotsobe-c1842.
England (probable)
1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ST-Finn-c2566
Tags: