South Africa (Group B)
| Group Rivals :- | India, England, West indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and Netherlands |
| Coach :- | Corrie Van Zyl |
| Captain :- | Greame Smith |
| Best Performance in WC :- | Semi-Finalists 1992, 1999, 2007 |
| Highest Score in WC :- | 356-4 (50 Overs) v/s West Indies in WC’07 |
| Lowest Score in WC :- | 149 All Out (43.5 Overs) v/s Australia in WC’07 |
| Best Individual Score :- | 188*, Gary Kirsten v/s U.A.E in WC’96 |
| Best Bowling :- | 5-18 Andrew Hall v/s England in WC’07 |
| Matches Won/Lost/Tied/NR | 25-13-2-0 |
| The Odds :- | 11-5 |
| ICC ODI Ranking :- | No.4 |
MAN TO WATCH  Jacques KALLIS Jacques Kallis is the top all-rounder in World Cricket. He is pivotal member of South African team around whom entire South African batting revolves. His records speak volumes about his ability. Being consistent player with both bat and ball for more than a decade Jacques Kallis is rated at par with the likes of Tendulkar. He has immense concentration powers and very difficult to dislodge once he gets his eye in. He can play aggressively as well as defensively. His abilities with the ball is no less than his abilities with the bat. He is equally good bowler. He has the ability to play in all kind of conditions and he will be keen to win the first World Cup for his country. This is probably the last World Cup for the Jacques Kallis and he is desperate to do well. He is plagued with rib injury and will be a nervous starter but once he will get into the groove he will certainly make the most out of his outing in the middle. Although South Africa possess good match-winners in their ranks but they will be highly dependent on Jacques Kallis. Watch out for new records in this World Cup which this man will create. Career-best performance: Batting: 139 v/s West Indies at Johannesburg in 2004 Bowling: 30-5 v/s West Indies at Dhaka in 1998 |
South African team popularly known as Proteas. They have chokers tag with them since they re-entered international cricket in 1992. This tag they achieved due to their inability to cross the final hurdle in important tournaments. They always had the privilege of very talented and world-class players in their ranks but these players often choked under-pressure. They failed to win World Cup since 1992 though they had best of the team compare to some other teams in World Cricket. Proteas always rated very highly by the cricket experts but often faltered. South African team is currently in top form as they won the ODI series against India at home and coming into this World Cup with great momentum. They don’t have much injury problems compare to other teams and their star performer Kallis is fit and raring to go. They have best of the opening ball attack in Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel and both of them can demolish any batting line-up in the world with their sheer pace and swing. The have good batsmen in Hashim Amla who is in top form and loves to perform in sub-continent. Form of AB DeVilliers is a matter of concern but apart from that they don’t have much weakness. Greame Smith is captaining the side for many years and this is one team which looks quite balanced. I believe South African team is firm favourites of winning the World Cup this time round simply because of their resources and also law of averages. They are force to reckon with in this World Cup and very difficult team to defeat in its group.
Key Players for South Africa: Greame Smith, Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel
No comments:
Post a Comment