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West Indies v South Africa - ICC World Cup 2011- preview

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West Indies v South Africa - ICC World Cup 2011- preview 
ICC 2011 World Cup fans must be looking forward to the first even match-up time since the mega event has started, as South Africa and West Indies gear up to face of each other in their Cup opener at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780.
Both are fascinating and skillful sides when it comes to the One Day format of game. However, Graeme Smith’s men would have a psychological advantage over the Caribbean side owing to their recent head-to-head record.
The One Day International (ODI) rankings of International Cricket Council (ICC) show a huge gap between the two outfits as the Proteas stand at number 4 on the rankings table while West Indies are languishing in ninth position just above tournament minnows,
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045.
One main reason behind West Indies low ranking could be the rift between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and players due to which, the side could not play much cricket during the 2010 season.
The Caribbean side had faced a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of South Africa when the two last faced off in 2010.
Their lead-up to the World Cup was ruined by the brutal weather of Sri Lanka as persistent rains forced the side to cut short their tour of the Pearl Island and return home. Their rescheduled One Day series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 was also interrupted by various
broadcasting controversies as well as the brutal weather, and the side lost the three match series by 0-3.
The side again lost to Kumar Sangakkara’s men in the World Cup warm-up game last week.
The Proteas, however, had no such problems coming into the mega event. The side reached the Subcontinent at the back of a 3-2 ODI series win against tournament co-hosts and title hot favourites, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746.
“We know their (South African) capabilities. They are of top quality and we cannot slacken against them”, said all-rounder Chris Gayle. “We have to play our top game to beat them. Once we get a sniff in, we could actually try and capitalise on it as much
as possible. All teams are beatable”, he added further.
Comparing the batting and bowling of both teams, Graeme Smith’s side seems far superior to the Caribbean brigade.
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193
Tahir boost the attack.
Coming to the batting of Proteas, they have an explosive opening duo featuring skipper, Graeme Smith, and, Hashim Amla. Their middle-order gets strength from the likes of experienced Jacques Kallis, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JP-Duminy-c1742.
In the bowling department, West Indies lack experience. Pacer Kemar Roach is an able fast bowler but he has still a lot to prove at the big stage. The Caribbean pace attack also includes skipper Darren Sami, Ravi Rampaul and the uncapped pacer Andre http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Russell-c87177.
The spin department of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Benn-c47745 while all-rounder Dwayne Bravo is their death-overs specialist.
Batting could be their strength as belligerent Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan and experienced Chanderpaul are the pillars of their line-up. The Bravo duo and Kieron Pollard have the potential to belt the ball.
How the pitch behaves would be crucial keeping in mind that the venue was banned from hosting international matches for a year following a match between India and Sri Lanka in December 2009 rating the track ‘unfit’ to host a match.
Alan Hurst, one of the referees for that very match described the pitch as ‘dangerous’ as the ball was reaching an alarming height or kept low after pitching.
However, the curators this time have ensured that the track has something for both the batsmen as well as bowlers.
Though the Caribbean team is no longer as invincible as it was once, it can give the Proteas a tough time in Thursday’s tournament starter.
 

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