ICC World Cup 2011: South Africa outplays Australia
The Proteas secured a thumping win over Australia by seven wickets in a warm up match of the ICC World Cup 2011 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore.
South Africa outplayed the Aussies in every department of the game to start off their ICC 2011 World Cup campaign in a fascinating manner.
Prior to this match, Australia was defeated by India in a warm up match as well, which raises more questions about the defending champion's ability to win the title this time round.
On the other hand, South Africa has never been crowned as the world champions and Graeme Smith would love to change their history at the mega event, which is going to officially kick off on 19 February, 2011.
Ricky Ponting won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat first after a miserable effort of chasing a total against India in the previous warm up game.
However, the Aussies were off to the worst possible start as both the openers Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 and Brad Haddin were sent back to pavilion without disturbing the scorers.
From their onwards, Australian captain and vice captain combined to lead their team from the front as both Ponting and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 posts a fighting total of 217 on the board before being bowled out in
the 48th over of the innings.
Michael Clarke remained the top scorer for the Kangaroos as he scored 73 runs off 96 balls with the help of six boundaries. At the other end, Ponting made a solid 55 off 84 balls, in which he struck 7 fours.
Both batsmen accumulated 122 runs for the third wicket partnership. The disappointing thing for the Aussie management staff would be the fact that Ponting and Clarke did not find any sort of a support from the other top order batsmen and the middle order
fell like a house of cards just like it did against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
South African spearhead, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dale-c52110 Steyn, and left-arm spinner, Robin Petersen, remained the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas as they claimed three scalps each after giving away 21 and 45 runs respectively.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 Tahir, impressed once again with an economical spell as he picked up David Hussey and conceded only 33 runs in his nine overs.
Chasing a mediocre score to seal the victory, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 was off to a flying start through Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla before both of them were retired out. The Proteas did not look to be in any kind of a trouble throughout their innings and as a result
they chased down the total in the 45th over of the innings.
Smith and Amla looked in sublime form and scored 65 and 60 runs respectively. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JP-Duminy-c1742 also showed good form as he made 47 runs off 62 balls with the help of 3 fours and a six and remained unbeaten.
Australian bowlers failed to pick up a single wicket in the South African innings as the only batsman dismissed was in the shape of a run out and Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla were retired out.
Australia’s bowling attack has been under huge criticism especially after the Ashes 2010-11 debacle. But the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Bret http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lee-c72382, and Shaun Tait would have to raise their game if Australia has any realistic chance of retaining the most illustrious
trophy in the cricketing world.
Tags: