South Africa captain Graeme Smith hopes to turn the tables on India in fourth ODI
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 made their own comeback of
sorts after being humiliated in the first match of the series at the Kingsmead in Durban.
Smith was concerned at the batting failures in the two defeats at Johannesburg and Cape Town which were the main reasons for the defeats. In the third ODI, the hosts were set to reach the 250 run mark before
losing their way in the powerplay overs at the end of their innings.
The collapse was even starker in the Jo’Burg ODI, which the Proteas lost by a run only.
"I thought if we could have got 20 more runs [it would have made the difference] ... we were well set up to get those 20 more runs … [but] the disappointing thing for me is that we have [lost] 5 for 30 and
6 for 20 in our last two games. If you probably take that out of our game, we would probably be 3-0 up. Otherwise, we have played decent enough cricket throughout the vast majority of the games. We just haven't handled those moments where we needed to kick
on or make the right decisions well. Those are the lessons that we can learn, and hopefully we can come out tomorrow and play with a good spirit and get those things right."
Smith added that one factor that could have weighed in the loss was the pressure certain players felt with their 2011 World Cup selection on the line. The team was announced after the third ODI of the series
and Smith is looking forward to the last two games where the players would be a lot more relaxed, what with the selection concerns for the premier tournament out of the way.
"Now that the World Cup squad is announced, the tension has kind of lifted on the players and the way they play the game, so hopefully tomorrow we can play with a bit more freedom."
The fourth ODI would be played at Port Elizabeth a venue which, according to Smith, is enjoyed by most members of his team. Another factor that weighs in towards a positive result is the experience that most
members have of playing there; three players of the current team play their domestic cricket for the local team.
"PE fans in particular are great supporters of the team," Smith said. "We have got some of the most vibrant crowds in the country here; the guys really do enjoy playing here. The Warriors have been very successful at their home
ground over the last period of time, and to have Lopsy [Lonwabo Tsotsobe], Colin [Ingram] and Johan [Botha] with their knowledge of the ground is crucial. We will certainly tap in to that."
Smith is confident that the Warriors trio would play an important role in front of their home supporters; he is hoping that one of them turns out to be the hero for the hosts as they bid to avoid a rare ODI series defeat at home.
A loss in either of the last two games would give the series to the Indians, who have performed brilliantly in alien conditions in the absence of some of their leading stars like Sachin Tendulkar, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gautam-Gambhir-c58623
and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Praveen-Kumar-c82600.
Both teams have a lot to look forward to when they turn up at the St. George’s Park as time runs out before the start of the World Cup next month.
Tags: