Less World Cup pressure might favour us: Hashim Amla
The South African cricket team would go into February’s ICC World Cup 2011 with the chokers tag behind them and their One-day opener Hashim Amla feels this might go in their favour.
Amla feels a lot of expectations attached with the team were the reason behind its failure in lifting the coveted trophy but since there is less pressure and hype around the side this time, it might go in their favour.
“This created huge expectations and placed great pressure on the boys but that is something we are not experiencing now. This time around there is a lot less fuss being made about us and that is how we prefer it,” the 27-year-old added further.
The Graeme Smith-led South African World Cup squad will land in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 on Tuesday, 8 February, 2011 with an aim of breaking their title jinx.
Amla said that entering the mega event without the favourites tag gives the side an excellent opportunity to claim their first World Cup title in 13 years.
The Proteas currently stand number three on the ICC ODI rankings’ table and 11 members of their current 15-man World Cup squad are yet to make their debut appearance in cricket’s flagship event, including Amla himself.
Since debuting in One-day International cricket in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/March-c74391 2008, Amla has participated in 42 games compiling 2,156 runs at a remarkable average of 59.88. The tally includes 7 centuries and 12 half-centuries as well.
Despite being an uncapped World Cup player, Amla reckons himself as a senior team member and is gearing up to lead the side from the front.
“I definitely feel like one of the older guys in the team,” said Amla. “Even if I have nowhere near the experience of someone like Graeme (Smith), Jacques (Kallis). Yet every game is a tremendous learning school for me.”
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Netherlands-c753. The Proteas will open their World Cup campaign against West Indies at Feroz Shah Kotla, Dehli on 24 February.
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