South Africa Cricket Team Chances for 20/20 World Cup
If there ever was an award for the ’most luckless team’, it would have gone to South Africa, undoubtedly. The Proteas have been beaten semi-finalists in seven ICC events going back to the 1992 World Cup, but reached only one final, winning the inaugural Champions Trophy, then known as the ICC Knockout, in 1998, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
They powered into the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2009 in England before losing to eventual winners Pakistan. South Africa's failure to reach the knockout stage of the ICC Champions Trophy on home soil later last year contributed to the decision to fire coach Mickey Arthur.
But Graeme Smith feels his side’s luck will change. The Proteas may be the 'chokers' in the mega events, yet they have improved considerably in all forms. They have world class cricketers in their side, a fact that has seen them beat Australia in Australia, and give tough time to India as well.
PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
The South Africans are lucky enough to have plenty of options at the top of the order. Graeme Smith is a certain starter for the final XI, yet Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs and Loots Bosman all are in contention for a place in the top order. Kallis, who enjoyed a healthy run at the Indian Premier League is most likely to start the innings with Bosman on number three, followed by AB de Villiers and JP Duminy who literally had nothing much to do in the IPL. Then there are the Morkel brothers who will partner Dale Steyn making the bowling attack destructive for opposing batsmen, no matter what the condition of the pitch or form of the game.
PROS OF SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKET:
The South African domestic structure is one of the best in the world, generating quality players at will who can adapt to the international circuit as well. Like the Aussies, they have raised the standard of their domestic structure, and their players can perform all over the world without needing the time to adjust to the conditions.
CONS OF SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKET:
The Proteas will surely miss the likes of Wayne Parnell and Justin Kemp who have been ruled out of the tournament through injuries. Strangely enough, they have not played Twenty20 international as fluently as their contemporaries, turning out just twice for the shortest version of the game since last year's competition. The loss of Albie Morkel’s batting form will add to South Africa’s worries. He was the main difference between the two sides during South Africa’s historic series in Australia, which they won. Yet he has failed to transform from the all-rounder into a master blaster, at times disappointing even his supporters.
JOURNEY IN TWENTY20 WORLD CUP:
Last time out the South Africans made it to the semi-final stage before falling to eventual champions Pakistan, and performed in a similar manner in the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, making to the final four before coming up second best against an unstoppable Australian outfit. They failed to make it to the semi finals of the first Twenty20 World Cup which was played on their home grounds.
CHANCES IN THE THIRD EDITION:
Despite their chokers tag and their recent performances, South Africa have the potential to be competitive in the West Indies, where they will play group matches against India in St Lucia and newcomers Afghanistan in Barbados. The South Africans will give tough time to their opponents and if the unit clicks under the guidance of Graeme Smith, they will be as unstoppable as a locomotive.
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